How to request an absentee ballot in your state, check status and more

The midterm elections are next month, in which Democrats and Republicans will compete for control of the House and Senate.
While every state has eligible voters, the deadlines and rules about who can participate vary.
Here’s what you need to know about applying for, submitting and tracking your absentee ballot.

With less than a week left until the midterm elections, voters dealing with circumstances that make it difficult to vote on Election Day may instead opt for an absentee ballot.

Election Day is November 8 in each state, but each state has its own deadlines for voters who are absent.

The US Postal Service recommends that you mail your out-of-vote request and your voted ballot at least a week before your state’s deadline. But some states accept ballots that are stamped on Election Day and arrive within a certain time frame.

Here’s what you need to know about filing absentee ballots in every state, according to the US General Services Administrationnon-profit organisation voice.organd the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL).

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How to get an absentee ballot by email

With the exception of eight states those holding elections by mail where all registered voters receive ballots by mail – California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington – absentee ballots can be requested by visiting or calling your local Election Board.

All states accept mailed voting requests. Most accept electronic requests, such as email or fax, and provide the form online for you to complete, print, and mail to local election officials.
Some states have ballot boxes, and in many states you can hand in your ballot in person at your local election office or another location.
At least 19 states offer online portals where voters can apply for a ballot. Click here to see which states offer online voting requests.
Not sure where to find the desired website? Visit the online address book from polling stations to find local contact information in your state.
Keep in mind when mail is delivered and collected in your mailbox.

What if you have not received a ballot and the elections are near? Can you follow your voice?

Many states have tools to check the status of ballots.
Find the online voice tracking card.
If your state offers ballot tracking, it will have an X next to it – click that for more information.

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Do you need a reason to vote absent?

some states require a specific reason confirming that the voter cannot vote in person on Election Day, and acceptable reasons vary by state. Most reasons include not being able to get to your polling station due to illness, injury or disability, business travel or vacation, or being a student at an out-of-state college or university.
some states provide a permanent absentee voting option for voters who wish to vote absent in future elections.
In case of emergency, absentee votes can be requested after normal deadlines.
There is a list of states that need “apologies” to vote out here.

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Can you still vote in person when you are absent?

Each state has different rules for voting in person on Election Day if you have received a ballot paper in the mail. Requirements may include taking the absent ballot paper with you to a designated polling station and exchanging an absent ballot paper for a personal ballot paper, completing and returning the absent ballot paper, or issuing a provisional ballot paper.

Early voting versus in-person voting in the absence

Early and personal absentee voting is similar, but NCSL categorizes them separately because they are functionally different. Early voting is similar to voting on Election Day while in person absentee voting requires a voter to request, complete and sign a ballot paper at a polling station.

46 states and five US territories provide early personal mood.
Early voting can start as early as 55 days before an election. The average number of days allotted for early personal voting is 23.
Residents of Alabama, Connecticut, Mississippi and New Hampshire cannot vote early unless they are considered an appropriate absentee voter by the state.
“No Excuse” Absent Vote – available in 35 states and the District of Columbia – allows voters to cast an absentee ballot or by mail for no specific reason.

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Know your state’s deadlines

See Vote.org’s list of deadlines or click on the map below and be sure to check the state election resources for the latest voting guidelines.

Camille Fine is a trending visual producer on USA TODAY’s NOW team.

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