Voting Laws and Procedures: 50-State Survey

The election process is the engine that makes a democracy run. However, voting is not always as simple as a citizen might expect. States have devised intricate laws and policies to govern elections. One of the main issues that they address is when people must register to vote. Most states set general deadlines for registration in advance of an election. About half the states also allow same-day registration, which means that a voter can register and cast a ballot at the same time. However, these states generally require a voter to present proof of residency and identification to use this option.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, voting by mail grew more attractive to many voters concerned about their health. Every state offers some version of this process, but some states require voters to have a specific reason to vote absentee. (This might involve an illness, a disability, absence from their county of residence on Election Day, work schedule conflicts, religious observances, military service, or other reasons.) Other states allow anyone to request an absentee ballot without an excuse. A handful of states have transitioned to all-mail elections, in which every voter is automatically mailed a ballot, and a few more states are exploring the possibility.

While voting is a basic civil right, it does not automatically extend to every person. States impose certain basic requirements for who can register to vote, such as U.S. citizenship, residency in the state, and minimum age. In addition, some people who otherwise would be eligible may be disqualified from voting for specific reasons, such as serving a sentence for a felony conviction in many states.

Election rules tend to be detailed and may change more often than some areas of law and policy. This survey identifies the election authority in each state. A voter can explore that resource to get the latest information about an upcoming election, or to look further into a specific concern. Meanwhile, if you believe that your right to vote has been infringed, you can contact a civil rights lawyer to discuss your next steps.

Click on a state below to find out more about issues such as voter registration, voting by mail, and voting eligibility in that state.

Alabama

  • Election authority: Alabama Secretary of State, Election Center
  • Voter registration deadline: 15 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: 12 P.M. on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Required

Alabama voting laws provide that a person may be able to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and reside in Alabama. They also must be at least 18 years old. They must not have been convicted of a disqualifying felony, unless they have had their rights restored, and they must not have been legally declared mentally incompetent by a court.

Alaska

  • Election authority: Alaska Division of Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 30 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No (except to vote for President and Vice President)
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by Election Day and received 10 days after election
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

Alaska voting laws provide that a person may be able to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and reside in Alaska. They also must be at least 18 years old or within 90 days of their 18th birthday. They cannot have a felony conviction involving moral turpitude, unless their voting rights have been restored, and they cannot be registered to vote in another state unless they are willing to cancel their registration in that state.

Arizona

  • Election authority: Arizona Secretary of State, Elections Division
  • Voter registration deadline: 29 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: 7 P.M. on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

Arizona voting laws provide that a person may be able to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of Arizona and the county listed on their registration. They also must be 18 or older by the day of the next regular general election. A person cannot register to vote if they have been convicted of a felony and have not had their civil rights restored. (However, for a first-time felony conviction, civil rights are automatically restored upon completion of a sentence and payment of restitution.) A person also cannot register to vote if they have been adjudicated incapacitated by a court.

Arkansas

Arkansas voting laws provide that a person may be able to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and an Arkansas resident. They must be at least 18 years old, or turn 18 by the next election. They also must not be a convicted felon whose sentence has not been discharged or pardoned, and they must not be presently adjudged as mentally incompetent regarding their ability to vote by a court of competent jurisdiction.

California

  • Election authority: California Secretary of State, Elections and Voter Information
  • Voter registration deadline: Generally 15 days before election
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by Election Day and received within 7 days after election
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required (all-mail elections)

California voting laws provide that a person may be able to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of California. They must be 18 or older by Election Day. They also must not be currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony, and they must not be currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court. Pre-registration is available to people who are 16 or 17 years old and meet the other eligibility requirements. A person who pre-registers to vote will be automatically registered on their 18th birthday.

Colorado

  • Election authority: Colorado Secretary of State, Elections & Voting
  • Voter registration deadline: Generally 8 days before election
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: 7 P.M. on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required (all-mail elections)

Colorado voting laws provide that a person may be able to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a Colorado resident for at least 22 days before the election. They must be at least 18 years old by the time of the election. They must not be serving a sentence of confinement or detention for a felony conviction.

Connecticut

Connecticut voting laws provide that a person may be able to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen living in Connecticut. They must be at least 17 and must turn 18 on or before Election Day. In addition, if a person has been convicted of a felony, they must have completed confinement.

Delaware

  • Election authority: Delaware Department of Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: Generally 24 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Close of polls on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Required

Delaware voting laws provide that a person may be able to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of Delaware. They must be 18 years old by the next general election. They must not have been adjudged mentally incompetent, which is a specific finding in a judicial guardianship or equivalent proceeding. If they were convicted of a felony, they must have completed their sentence. Also, they must not have been convicted of a disqualifying felony. (These include murder, manslaughter, sex crimes, and offenses against public administration.)

Florida

Florida voting laws provide that a person may be able to register and vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of Florida and the county in which they reside. They must be at least 18 years old. (A person who is 16 or 17 can pre-register to vote, but they cannot vote until they are 18.) They also must not be currently adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other state without having the right to vote restored, and they must not have been convicted of a felony without their civil rights having been restored.

Georgia

  • Election authority: Georgia Secretary of State, Elections Division
  • Voter registration deadline: 29 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Close of polls on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

Georgia voting laws provide that a person may be able to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a legal resident of Georgia and the county where they wish to vote. They must be at least 17½ years old to register and at least 18 to vote. A person cannot register to vote if they have been ruled mentally incompetent by a court, or if they are currently serving a sentence for a felony.

Hawaii

  • Election authority: Hawaii Office of Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 10 days before election
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Close of polls on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required (all-mail elections)

Hawaii voting laws provide that a person may be able to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of Hawaii. Residency is not based merely on presence in the state but must be acquired with the intent to make Hawaii the person’s legal residence. They also must be at least 18 years old. Eligible people can pre-register when they are 16 or older. When they turn 18, they will automatically be registered to vote and mailed a ballot. A voter sentenced for a felony cannot vote in an election from the time of their sentence until their final discharge. However, if they are placed on probation or paroled after commitment to imprisonment, they may register and vote during probation or parole.

Idaho

Idaho voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to vote in the state if they meet statutory requirements and register with their county clerk. The statutory requirements are that the person must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen. They also must have resided in the state and the county for at least 30 days before the election at which they want to vote. If a person has been convicted of a felony, their right to vote will be restored once they complete their sentence.

Illinois

  • Election authority: Illinois State Board of Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 28 days before election; 16 days before election if online
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by Election Day and received within 14 days after election
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

Illinois voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and have lived in their election precinct for at least 30 days before the election. They must be at least 17 years old by the date of the primary election and turn 18 by the date of the general election. They also must not claim the right to vote anywhere else, and they must not be serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution as a result of a conviction.

Indiana

  • Election authority: Indiana Secretary of State, Election Division
  • Voter registration deadline: 29 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: 6 P.M. on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Required

Indiana voting laws provide that a person may have the right to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of Indiana, and they will be at least 18 years old by the next general or municipal election. They also must have lived in the precinct where they vote for at least 30 days before the election, and they must not currently be in prison after being convicted of a crime.

Iowa

  • Election authority: Iowa Secretary of State, Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 15 days before election
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Close of polls on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

Iowa voting laws provide that a person may qualify to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and an Iowa resident. They must be at least 17 years old. A person may vote if they are 18 years old on Election Day. (For primary elections, a person may vote if they will be 18 by the corresponding regular election.) A person cannot register to vote if they claim the right to vote in any other place, if they have been judged mentally incompetent to vote by a court, or if they are a convicted felon, unless their voting rights have been restored.

Kansas

  • Election authority: Kansas Secretary of State, Elections Division
  • Voter registration deadline: 21 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by Election Day and received within 3 days after election
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

Kansas voting laws provide that a person may be able to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of Kansas. They must reach the age of 18 before the next election. If they were convicted of a felony, they must have received final discharge from imprisonment, parole, or conditional release.

Kentucky

  • Election authority: Kentucky State Board of Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 29 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Close of polls on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Required

Kentucky voting laws provide that a person may be able to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a Kentucky resident for at least 28 days before the election. They must be at least 18 years old by the next general election, although qualified individuals may register at 17 and participate in a primary election if they will be 18 by the general election. They must not claim the right to vote outside Kentucky, and they must not have had their voting rights removed based on being judged mentally incompetent in a court. In addition, they must not be a convicted felon unless their right to vote has been restored following an expungement, executive pardon, or executive order.

Louisiana

  • Election authority: Louisiana Secretary of State, Elections & Voting
  • Voter registration deadline: 30 days before election; 20 days before election if online
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Day before election
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Required

Louisiana voting laws provide that a person may be able to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and reside in the state and in the parish where they seek to register. They must be at least 17 years old to register (16 years old if registering in person in certain situations), although they must be at least 18 years old to vote. They must not be under a judgment of full interdiction for mental incompetence or partial interdiction with suspension of voting rights. Also, they must not be under an order of imprisonment for conviction of a felony or, if under such an order, not incarcerated pursuant to the order within the last five years. They must not be under an order of imprisonment related to a felony conviction for an election offense.

Maine

Maine voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and have established and maintain a voting residence in the municipality where they seek to register. They also must be at least 16 years old. A person generally must be at least 18 years old to vote, but they may vote in primary elections if they are 17 but will be 18 by the general election.

Maryland

  • Election authority: Maryland State Board of Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 21 days before election
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by Election Day and received by 10 A.M. 10 days after election
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

Maryland voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen, a Maryland resident, and at least 16 years old. (However, they cannot vote unless they will be at least 18 by the next general election.) A person cannot register to vote if they are under a guardianship for a mental disability and found by a court to be unable to communicate a desire to vote, currently serving a sentence of imprisonment for a felony conviction, or convicted of buying or selling votes.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts voting laws provide that a person may submit an application to register or pre-register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and at least 16 years old. They also must not be currently incarcerated because of a felony conviction.

Michigan

  • Election authority: Michigan Department of State, Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 15 days before election
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Close of polls on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

Michigan voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a Michigan resident at the time that they register. They also must have been a resident of their city or township for at least 30 days when they vote. In addition, they must be at least 18 years old when they vote and must not be currently serving a sentence in jail or prison.

Minnesota

Minnesota voting laws provide that a person may be able to register and vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and have been a resident of Minnesota for 20 days. They must be at least 18 years old on Election Day. In addition, they must have finished with all the parts of any felony sentence. While a person can vote while under a guardianship unless a judge has specifically revoked their right to vote, they cannot vote if a court has ruled that they are legally incompetent.

Mississippi

  • Election authority: Mississippi Secretary of State, Elections Division
  • Voter registration deadline: 30 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by Election Day and received within 5 business days after election
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Required

Mississippi voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of Mississippi and the county, city, or town for 30 days prior to the election. They must be at least 18 years old, or 18 by the date of the next general election. In addition, they must not have been declared mentally incompetent by a court, and they must not have been convicted of a disenfranchising crime, unless they have been pardoned, had their rights of citizenship restored by the Governor, or had their suffrage rights restored by the Legislature.

Missouri

  • Election authority: Missouri Secretary of State, Elections Division
  • Voter registration deadline: 27 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Close of polls on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Required

Missouri voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen, a resident of Missouri, and at least 17 years and six months of age, but at least 18 by Election Day. To be able to vote, a person must be registered to vote in the jurisdiction of their domicile prior to the election, and they cannot have been declared incapacitated or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor connected to voting. They also cannot be imprisoned and cannot be on probation or parole after conviction of a felony.

Montana

  • Election authority: Montana Secretary of State, Elections Division
  • Voter registration deadline: 30 days before election; late registration may be available up to 12 P.M. on day before election
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Close of polls on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

Montana voting laws provide that a person may be able to vote in Montana if they are registered as required by law, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Montana for at least 30 days. They also must be 18 or older by the next election. A person cannot vote if they have been judged in a court of law to be of unsound mind, or if they are a convicted felon serving a sentence in a penal institution.

Nebraska

  • Election authority: Nebraska Elections Division
  • Voter registration deadline: 18 days before election if by mail or online; 11 days before election if in person
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Close of polls on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

Nebraska voting laws provide that a person may be able to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and live in Nebraska. They also must be at least 18 years old by the first Tuesday in November. They must not have been officially found to be mentally incompetent, and they must not have been convicted of a felony, unless two years have passed since the completion of their sentence for the felony, including any parole term.

Nevada

  • Election authority: Nevada Secretary of State, Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 28 days before election if by mail or in person; 5 days before election if online
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by Election Day and received by 5 P.M. on fourth day after election
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required (all-mail elections)

Nevada voting laws provide that a person may be able to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of Nevada for 30 days preceding an election. They must be at least 18 years old by Election Day. In addition, they must not have been declared by a court to be mentally incompetent, and they must not be currently serving a term of imprisonment for a felony. A person who is 17 years old can pre-register to vote if they meet the other qualifications. This means that they will automatically become a registered voter on their 18th birthday.

New Hampshire

  • Election authority: New Hampshire Department of State, Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 6-13 days before election (varies by town)
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: 5 P.M. on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Required

New Hampshire voting laws provide that a person may be able to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and domiciled in the town or ward where they seek to vote. They must be at least 18 years old on Election Day. A person who is incarcerated because of a felony conviction is not eligible to register or vote while incarcerated.

New Jersey

  • Election authority: New Jersey Department of State, Division of Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 21 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by Election Day and received within 144 hours after polls close
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

New Jersey voting laws provide that a person may be able to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of the county for 30 days before the election. They must be at least 17 years old to register, and they cannot vote until they turn 18. In addition, they must not be serving a sentence of incarceration as the result of a conviction of any indictable offense under federal or state law.

New Mexico

New Mexico voting laws provide that a person may be able to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a New Mexico resident. They must be at least 18 years old. If a person has been convicted of a felony, they can register to vote once they have completed the court-ordered sentence of imprisonment, including any term of parole or probation.

New York

  • Election authority: New York State Board of Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 10 days before election (and postmarked 15 days before if by mail)
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by Election Day and received within 7 days after election
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

New York voting laws provide that a person may be qualified to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of New York State and the county, city, or village for at least 30 days before the election. They must be at least 18 years old. (Pre-registration is available for people who are 16 or 17, but they cannot vote until they turn 18.) In addition, they must not claim the right to vote elsewhere, must not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court, and must not be in prison for a felony conviction.

North Carolina

  • Election authority: North Carolina State Board of Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 25 days before election
  • Same-day registration: Only during early voting
  • Mailed ballot deadline: 7:30 P.M. on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

North Carolina voting laws provide that a person may be qualified to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen, live in the county where they are registering, and have resided there for at least 30 days before Election Day. They also must be at least 18 years old, or reach that age by the date of the general election. (People who are 16 or 17 may preregister to vote, and people who are 17 may vote in a primary election if they will be 18 by the date of the general election.) In addition, they must not be in jail or prison for a felony conviction.

North Dakota

  • Election authority: North Dakota Secretary of State, Elections Division
  • Voter registration deadline: N/A (voter registration not required)
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked before election day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

North Dakota is the only state that does not have a formal voter registration process. North Dakota voting laws provide that a person may be qualified to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a North Dakota resident. They must be at least 18 years old on the day of the election, and they must be a resident in the precinct for 30 days preceding the election.

Ohio

  • Election authority: Ohio Secretary of State, Elections & Voting
  • Voter registration deadline: 30 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by day before election and received within four days after election
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

Ohio voting laws provide that a person may be qualified to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days immediately before the election in which they want to vote. They must be at least 18 years old by the day of the next general election. They also must not have been declared incompetent for voting purposes by a probate court, they must not be incarcerated in prison or jail for a felony conviction under state or federal law, and they must not have been permanently disenfranchised for violating the election laws.

Oklahoma

  • Election authority: Oklahoma State Election Board
  • Voter registration deadline: 25 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: 7 P.M. on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

Oklahoma voting laws provide that a person may be qualified to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen residing in Oklahoma and at least 18 years old. A person convicted of a felony may register to vote when they have fully served their sentence of court-mandated calendar days, including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered by a court. A person judged incapacitated by a court may not register to vote. A person who is at least 17½ years old may pre-register to vote if they meet the other eligibility requirements. However, they cannot vote until they turn 18, and the application has been approved by their county election board.

Oregon

  • Election authority: Oregon Secretary of State, Voting & Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 21 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by Election Day and received within 7 days after election
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required (all-mail elections)

Oregon voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen, a resident of Oregon, and at least 16 years old. If they are not yet 18, they will not receive a ballot until an election occurs on or after their 18th birthday. Once a person is released from incarceration, they are immediately eligible to vote again.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen for at least one month before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election. They also must be a resident of Pennsylvania and the election district where they want to register and vote for at least 30 days before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election. They must be at least 18 years old by the date of the next primary, special, municipal, or general election. A person is not eligible to register and vote if they are currently confined in a penal institution for a conviction of a felony, or if they were convicted of violating an election law in the last four years.

Rhode Island

  • Election authority: Rhode Island Department of State, Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 30 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No (except to vote for President and Vice President)
  • Mailed ballot deadline: 8 P.M. on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

Rhode Island voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of the Rhode Island city or town where they wish to vote. They also must be at least 16 years old, and they must be at least 18 to vote. A person cannot register to vote if there is a written court order stating that they cannot vote, or if they are a convicted felon still in prison.

South Carolina

  • Election authority: South Carolina Election Commission
  • Voter registration deadline: 30 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Close of polls on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Required

South Carolina voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of South Carolina in the county and precinct where they are registering. They must be at least 18 years old by the next election. They also must not be under a court order declaring them mentally incompetent, or be confined in a public prison resulting from a conviction of a crime. In addition, a person must not have been convicted of a felony or offense against the election laws, unless they have served the entire sentence, including probation or parole, or have received a pardon for the conviction.

South Dakota

South Dakota voting laws provide that a person may be able to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and reside in South Dakota. They must be at least 18 years old by the next election. They also must not be judged mentally incompetent by a court of law, and they must not be currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction that included imprisonment, served or suspended, in an adult penitentiary system.

Tennessee

  • Election authority: Tennessee Secretary of State, Elections Division
  • Voter registration deadline: 30 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Close of polls on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Required

Tennessee voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of Tennessee. They must be at least 18 years old by the date of the next election. If they have been convicted of a felony, their eligibility to register and vote depends on the crime of which they were convicted and the date of the conviction. If a conviction made a person ineligible, they may regain their eligibility if their conviction has been expunged or if they have had their voting rights restored, unless they were convicted of a crime that made them permanently ineligible to vote.

Texas

  • Election authority: Texas Secretary of State, Elections Division
  • Voter registration deadline: 30 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by Election Day and received by 5 P.M. on following day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Required

Texas voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of the county where they submit the application. They must be at least 17 years and 10 months old when their voter registration application is submitted, and they must be at least 18 on Election Day. In addition, they must not have been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote, and they must not be a convicted felon, although they may be eligible to vote if they have completed their sentence, probation, and parole.

Utah

  • Election authority: Utah Lieutenant Governor, Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 11 days before election
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by day before election and received before 12 P.M. on day of canvass
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required (all-mail elections)

Utah voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of Utah for at least 30 days before the election. They must be at least 18 years old by the day of the election. A person who is 16 or 17 can pre-register to vote, which means that they will automatically be registered to vote when they turn 18. A convicted felon can register and vote unless they are currently serving a jail or prison sentence.

Vermont

  • Election authority: Vermont Secretary of State, Elections Division
  • Voter registration deadline: None
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Generally close of polls on election day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required (all-mail elections for general elections)

Vermont voting laws provide that a person may register to vote in the town of their residence if they meet certain requirements as of Election Day. They must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of the state of Vermont, as well as a resident of the town where they apply to be added to the checklist. In addition, they must have taken the Voter’s Oath, and they must be at least 18 years old.

Virginia

  • Election authority: Virginia Department of Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 22 days before election
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by Election Day and received before 12 P.M. 3 days after election
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

Virginia voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of Virginia. They generally must be at least 18 years old, although a person who is 17 and will be 18 at the next general election can register in advance and vote in any intervening primary or special election. They must not be registered and plan to vote in another state, and they must not be currently declared mentally incompetent by a court of law. If they have been convicted of a felony, their right to vote must have been restored.

Washington

  • Election authority: Washington Secretary of State, Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 8 days before election if by mail or online; none if in person
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required (all-mail elections)

Washington voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a legal resident of Washington State for at least 30 days prior to Election Day. They must be at least 18 years old, although a person who is 16 or 17 can sign up as a Future Voter and be automatically registered to vote when they qualify. They also must not be disqualified from voting due to a court order, not currently incarcerated for a federal or out-of-state felony conviction, and not currently serving a sentence of total confinement in prison under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections for a Washington felony conviction.

Washington, D.C.

  • Election authority: District of Columbia Board of Elections
  • Voter registration deadline: 21 days before election
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by Election Day and received within 7 days after election
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required (all-mail elections)

Washington, D.C. voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to register to vote in the District if they are a U.S. citizen and maintain residency in the District for at least 30 days prior to the election in which they intend to vote. They must be at least 17 years old and must be 18 by the next general election. (A person may preregister to vote if they are at least 16 years old and meet the other requirements, which means that they will be automatically registered to vote on their 18th birthday.) They also must not claim voting residence outside the District and must not have been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote.

West Virginia

  • Election authority: West Virginia Secretary of State, Elections Division
  • Voter registration deadline: 21 days before election
  • Same-day registration: No
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Postmarked by Election Day and received by start of canvass
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Required

West Virginia voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to register to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a legal resident of West Virginia. They must be at least 17 years old and 18 by the next general election. They also must not have been judged incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction and must not be currently under conviction, probation, or parole for any felony, election bribery, or treason.

Wisconsin

  • Election authority: Wisconsin Elections Commission
  • Voter registration deadline: 20 days before election; late registration until Friday before election if in person
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: 8 P.M. on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

Wisconsin voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and have resided at their current address for at least 28 days before the election. They must be at least 18 years old on the day of the election, although people who are otherwise eligible to vote may register to vote when they are 17 if they will be 18 by the next election. A person cannot vote if they are serving a felony sentence or if they have been adjudicated incompetent to vote. They also cannot vote if they have placed a bet or wager on the outcome of the election.

Wyoming

  • Election authority: Wyoming Secretary of State, Election Center
  • Voter registration deadline: 14 days before election
  • Same-day registration: Yes
  • Mailed ballot deadline: Close of polls on Election Day
  • Excuse for absentee voting: Not required

Wyoming voting laws provide that a person may be eligible to vote in the state if they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of Wyoming and the precinct in which they register. They must be at least 18 years old on Election Day. They also must not be adjudicated mentally incompetent and must not have been convicted of a felony unless they have had their civil or voting rights restored. If applicable, a person must withdraw their voter registration from any other jurisdiction.

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