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Some states allow voters to return their mail/absentee ballots in a secure drop box. Drop boxes eliminate the need for return postage because they allow voters to return their ballot directly to election officials, instead of using the postal service. This can be useful for voters who may not have enough time to return their ballot through the mail. 

To vote using a drop box: 

  • Place your ballot inside the return ballot envelope and fill out all the information requested on the return envelope. Some states require a notary or witness signature on the envelope when returning a mail ballot.    

  • Return your ballot to a drop box in your community. (Note: Make sure the drop box is clearly marked as belonging to the county, city, or township in which you live.)  

  • If using a drop box, make sure to return your mail ballot no later than the close of polls on Election Day.  

Each state has its own rules and requirements for securing drop boxes. Often, these requirements include specific locks or seals, video surveillance, and chain of custody requirements. Some states and localities only place drop boxes in government buildings or secure designated locations in a jurisdiction. Only election officials (often bipartisan teams) are authorized to collect ballots once they are placed in a drop box. To learn more about how election officials secure drop boxes, see guidance issued by the EAC and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) on effectively using and securing drop boxes.  

Visit eac.gov/vote for quick links to your state or territory’s elections website to confirm whether drop boxes are available in your area.  

Every state has their own rules on who can vote by mail. Some states require an excuse to vote by mail, some allow anyone to request a mail ballot, and others automatically send all voters a ballot in the mail. Examples of excuses may include illness, injury, disability, over a certain age, traveling outside of your community on Election Day, being a college student away from home, or serving in the military.  If you request a mail ballot, make sure to review the deadline to return your ballot in time for it to be counted (including the estimated time for mailing). 

If you have received an absentee or mail ballot, carefully read the instructions on how and when to return the mail ballot.  

  • Fill out all the information requested on the return envelope. Some states require a notary or witness signature on the envelope when returning a mail ballot.  

  • Unless your return envelope says the postage is pre-paid, be sure there is enough postage on the return envelope before putting your ballot in the mail.  

  • Per USPS recommendation, mail your ballot back at least one week prior to the state deadline to make sure it reaches the elections office in time.  

  • Depending on your jurisdiction’s laws and procedures, you may be able to return your mail ballot in person or by a drop box in your jurisdiction.  

Many states allow voters to track the status of their mail ballots online. 

Note: Election officials take your privacy seriously, and multiple steps are taken to ensure that your votes remain private. Election officials keep a record of whether you cast a ballot, but they are never able to tell how you voted.    

You can find more information about voting by mail in your state, including information about mail ballot tracking if offered in your state, at eac.gov/vote. 

Accessibility for Voting by Mail 

Check with your state or local elections office for information about accessible options for requesting, marking, and returning your mail ballot. For more information about accessibility in the voting by mail process, please see Best Practices: Accessibility for Voting by Mail. 

Many states allow voters to cast a ballot in-person before Election Day. In some states, early voting may involve casting a ballot at the local elections office, while in others you may vote at a polling location similar to voting on Election Day.  To find out if your state offers in-person voting before Election Day and where you can vote, visit eac.gov/vote, select your state or territory, and click the link for ‘Absentee/Mail and/or Early Voting Information.’ 

All states offer in-person options for voters to cast their ballot on Election Day. In some states, voters need to go to a specific location to vote on Election Day, while others provide vote centers where any voter in the jurisdiction can cast their ballot.  

Visit eac.gov/vote for quick links to your state or territory’s elections website to find your polling location, the hours, and if you need to bring anything (such as an ID) with you to vote.  

States and local jurisdictions have different options for voters who wish to cancel their voter registration. If you are registered to vote and would like to cancel or withdraw your voter registration, your local elections office can assist you. Visit eac.gov/vote for quick links to your state or territory’s elections website where you can find a directory of location elections offices.  

If you receive election mail for someone who no longer lives at your address or who has died, contact your local elections office to let them know.  

Maintaining up-to-date voter registration lists is critical for election administration. All states take steps to keep voter registration lists current, but sometimes elections offices don’t know that someone has moved or died. Visit eac.gov/vote for quick links to your state or territory’s elections website where you can find a directory of local elections offices. 

Each state makes its own voting rules, including how to confirm your registration. You can usually check your voter registration information online or by contacting your local elections office. If you are already registered to vote, it’s important to check to make sure your voter registration information is current and accurate, especially if you have recently moved or changed your name. Visit eac.gov/vote for quick links to your state or territory’s elections website to get the most detailed and up to date information for where you live.  

The process to update your voter registration is usually the same as the process to register to vote. 

Update your voter registration information if:  

  • You move  

  • You change your name  

  • You want to change your political party affiliation  

  • You haven’t voted in the past four years 

Visit eac.gov/vote for quick links to your state or territory’s elections website to find your options for registering to vote. You can also submit a paper National Mail Voter Registration Form to your local elections office. This form can be used to re-register to vote in every state except North Dakota, New Hampshire, and Wyoming, and it is available in 21 languages. 

The process to change your political party affiliation is usually the same as the process to register to vote.  

Some states require you to declare your party affiliation when registering, while others do not track your party affiliation. If your state tracks party affiliation, there will be a question on your voter registration from for you to declare your political party affiliation. 

Some states require voters to register with a party affiliation to vote in primary elections.  In general elections (which typically take place in November), you can vote for any candidate you prefer, regardless of party affiliation.   

 Visit eac.gov/vote for quick links to your state or territory’s elections website where you can find more information. 

In all states except North Dakota, you need to be registered to vote to participate in an election. Eligibility requirements vary by state, but generally to register to vote, you must be: 

  • A U.S. citizen 

  • At least 18 years old by Election Day 

  • Meet certain residency requirements 

You can register to vote in-person, by mail, and in many states online. If you are not already registered or need to update your registration, make sure to do so by your state’s deadline. Several states allow voters to register on Election Day, but other states have a deadline up to 30 days before the election.  

Some states may allow people who are under 18 to pre-register to vote, so they can vote as soon as they are eligible.  

Visit eac.gov/vote for quick links to your state or territory’s elections website to find more information on registration requirements. You can also download and print the National Mail Voter Registration Form. This form can be used to register to vote in every state except North Dakota, New Hampshire, and Wyoming, and it is available in 21 languages. To download this form, go to: https://www.eac.gov/voters/national-mail-voter-registration-form  

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