COVID-19 Election Tracking


1			ALERT: While the Democracy Works team is doing its best to keep this page updated with COVID-19 changes, we recommend visiting your state's site for the most up-to-date information. You can also find useful links to check your registration status, vote by mail, and contact your local election official at alerts.howto.vote
2	State		Date of Election	Election	Election Official Action	Legislative or Legal Action	Governor Action	Party Action

3	Iowa		2/3/20	Caucus
4	New Hampshire		2/11/20	Presidential Primary
5	Nevada		2/22/20	Caucus
6	South Carolina		2/29/20	Presidential Primary
7	Alabama		3/3/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary		HB419: Establishes Election Emergency Act, allowing for suspension or delay of election - Pending
8	Arkansas		3/3/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary				Democratic Party of Arkansas canceled its state convention opting to elect delegates remotely
9	California		3/3/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary			N-34-20: Gov. Newsom signs Executive Order providing for all-mail election in 3 special elections
10	Colorado		3/3/20	Presidential Primary
11	Maine		3/3/20	Presidential Primary
12	Massachusetts		3/3/20	Presidential Primary		HB4928: Expands powers of the Secretary of State over elections during emergencies, including the ability to postpone elections - Pending
13			SB2609: Postpones certain special elections in the state until 5/19 - Pending
14	Minnesota		3/3/20	Presidential Primary
15	North Carolina		3/3/20	Statewide Primary				Republican Party of North Carolina postpones state convention to 6/4
16	Oklahoma		3/3/20	Presidential Primary
17	Tennessee		3/3/20	Presidential Primary
18	Texas		3/3/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary
19	Utah		3/3/20	Presidential Primary
20	Vermont		3/3/20	Presidential Primary
21	Virginia		3/3/20	Presidential Primary
22	Idaho		3/10/20	Presidential Primary
23	Michigan		3/10/20	Presidential Primary				Democratic Party of Michigan canceled its state convention
24	Mississippi		3/10/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary				Republican Party of Mississippi postpones state convention indefinitely
25	Missouri		3/10/20	Presidential Primary				Republican Party of Missouri canceled county caucuses and will meet by phone
26					Democratic Party of Missouri canceled in-person convention
27	North Dakota		3/10/20	Presidential Primary				Republican Party of North Dakota canceled its state convention
28	Washington		3/10/20	Presidential Primary
29	Arizona		3/17/20	Presidential Primary
30	Florida		3/17/20	Presidential Primary
31	Illinois		3/17/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary
32	Alaska		4/4/20	Presidential Primary				Democratic Party of Alaska canceled in-person voting and conducted voting by mail
33	Hawaii		4/4/20	Presidential Primary				Democratic Pary of Hawaii canceled in-person voting and conducted voting by mail
34	Wyoming		4/4/20	Presidential Primary				Democratic Party of Wyoming canceled in-person caucuses and conducted by mail
35	Wisconsin		4/7/20	Presidential Primary	Timeline for changes in Wisconsin
36	Ohio		Postponed to 4/28/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary	Secretary LaRose directed County Boards of Elections to offer curbside voting for the Primary Election	HB197: Voids the previous order by Secretary LaRose moving the Primary Election to 6/2 and instead extends absentee voting through 4/28, with no in-person voting (some exceptions) - Enacted	Ohio State Health Director orders closure of polls on 3/17 and Gov. DeWine announced that polls would be closed
37	Kansas		5/2/20	Presidential Primary				Democratic Party of Kansas Canceled in-person voting and will conduct election by mail
38	Nebraska		5/12/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary	Secretary Evnen announced that absentee ballot applications would be mailed to all voters ahead of Primary Election
39	Idaho		5/19/20	Statewide Primary	Secretary of State launches online absentee ballot application tool		Gov. Little issues Proclamation establishing deadlines for the Primary Election
40				Gov. Little issues Proclamation to conduct Idaho's Primary Election by mail
41	Oregon		5/19/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary
42	Indiana		Postponed to 6/2/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary	Secretary of State launches online absentee ballot application tool		20-07: Gov. Holcomb signs Executive Order postponing Indiana's Primary Election to 6/2
43		2020-40: Indiana Election Commission authorizes no-excuse absentee voting for the Primary Election
44	Iowa		6/2/20	Statewide Primary	Secretary Pate announced that absentee ballot applications would be sent to all active registered voters
45		Secretary Pate announced that the absentee voting period was extended from 23 days to 40 days prior to the election
46	Maryland		Postponed to 6/2/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary	Maryland State Board of Elections submits election plan to Gov. Hogan for Primary Election		Gov. Hogan issues Proclamation to conduct Maryland's Primary Election by mail
47				Gov. Hogan issues Proclamation to postpone Maryland's Primary Election to 6/2
48	Montana		6/2/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary			Gov. Bullock issues Directive allowing counties to conduct Montana's Primary Election by mail
49	New Mexico		6/2/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary
50	Pennsylvania		Postponed to 6/2/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary		SB422: Postpones the state's primary until 6/2 - Enacted	Gov. Wolf signs Executive Order extending absentee ballot return deadline by 7 days; must be postmarked by election day
51	Rhode Island		Postponed to 6/2/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary	Secretary Gorbea announced that Rhode Island SOS would send a mail ballot application to all registered voters for Primary Election		20-11: Gov. Raimondo signs Executive Order postponing Rhode Island's Presidential Preference Primary Election to 6/2 and allowing for the election to be conducted primarily by mail
52	South Dakota		6/2/20	Statewide Primary	Secretary Barnett announced that South Dakota SOS would mail absentee ballot request applications to all registered voters for the Primary Election	HB1298: Postpones all elections in the state to be held through May to June - Enacted
53	The District of Columbia		6/2/20	Presidential Primary		B23-0733: Directs election officials to send absentee ballot application to all registered voters for Primary Election - Enacted
54	Georgia		Postponed to 6/9/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary	Secretary Raffensperger announced that election officials would mail absentee ballot request forms to all active voters for the Primary Election
55		Secretary Raffensperger postpones the Primary Election to 6/9
56		Secretary Raffensperger postpones the Primary Election to 5/19
57	Nevada		6/9/20	Statewide Primary	Secretary Cegavske announced plans to conduct all voting for the Primary Election by mail including sending absentee ballot applications to all registered voters
58	North Dakota		6/9/20	Statewide Primary			2020-13: Gov. Burgum signs Executive Order authorizing counties to conduct Primary Election by mail
59	South Carolina		6/9/20	Statewide Primary
60	West Virginia		Postponed to 6/9/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary	Secretary Warner directs county clerks to mail absentee ballot applications to all registered voters for Primary Election		18-20: Gov. Justice signs Executive Order postponing West Virginia's Primary Election to 6/9
61	Kentucky		Postponed to 6/23/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary			2020-296: Gov. Beshear signs Executive Order allowing no-excuse absentee for Kentucky's Primary Election
62				2020-236: Gov. Beshear signs Executive Order postponing Kentucky's Primary Election to 6/23
63	Mississippi		Postponed to 6/23/20	Primary Runoff			1461: Gov. Reeves signs Executive Order postponing Mississippi's Primary Runoff Election to 6/23
64	New York		Postponed to 6/23/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary	New York State Board of Elections cancels Democratic Presidential Preference Primary; statewide primary is still scheduled for 6/23	New York must hold Democratic Presidential Primary, Judge rules	202.23: Gov. Cuomo signs Executive Order authorizing absentee ballot applications to be sent to all registered voters for Primary Election
65				202.15: Gov. Cuomo signs Executive Order expanding absentee voting for Primary Election
66				202.12: Gov. Cuomo signs Executive Order postponing New York's Primary to 6/23
67	North Carolina		Postponed to 6/23/20	Primary Runoff	North Carolina State Board of Elections postpones the Primary Runoff Election to 6/23
68	Virginia		Postponed to 6/23/20	Statewide Primary			Gov. Northam signs Executive Order postponing Primary Election to 6/23
69	Colorado		6/30/20	Statewide Primary
70	Oklahoma		6/30/20	Statewide Primary		Oklahoma legislative updates
71	Utah		6/30/20	Statewide Primary		HB3005: Cancels in-person Election Day voting, in-person early voting, and in-person voter registration - Enacted
72	Delaware		Postponed to 7/7/20	Presidential Primary			Gov. Carney updates State of Emergency to postpone Delaware's Primary Election to 7/7
73				Gov. Carney updates State of Emergency to postpone Delaware's Primary Election to 6/2
74	New Jersey		Postponed to 7/7/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary			120: Gov. Murphy signs Executive Order postponing New Jersey's Primary Election to 7/7
75	Louisiana		Postponed to 7/11/20	Presidential Primary			2020-46: Gov. Edwards signs Executive Order postponing Louisiana's Primary Election to 7/11
76				2020-27: Gov. Edwards signs Executive Order postponing Louisiana's Primary Election to 6/20
77	Alabama		Postponed to 7/14/20	Primary Runoff	Secretary Merrill issues emergency rule expanding absentee for Primary Runoff		Gov. Ivey issues Proclamation postponing Alabama's Primary Runoff to 7/14
78	Maine		7/14/20	Statewide Primary			39FY19/20: Gov. Mills signs Executive Order postponing Maine's Primary Election to 7/14	Democratic Party of Maine canceled its state convention opting to elect delegates remotely
79	Texas		7/14/20	Primary Runoff	Secretary Hughes released a set of recommended health protocols for voters and election workers	The Texas Supreme Court ruled that a voter's lack of immunity to COVID-19 does not qualify as a disability under state election law and cannot be used as an excuse to request an absentee ballot	Gov. Abbot issues Proclamation postponing Texas' Primary Runoff to 7/14
80			Judge Sulak issued a temporary injunction barring Texas election officials from refusing to grant or count absentee ballots of voters claiming eligibility due to concerns over COVID-19
81	Arizona		8/4/20	Statewide Primary
82	Kansas		8/4/20
83	Michigan		8/4/20	Statewide Primary	Secretary Benson announced that all registered voters will receive an application to vote by mail
84		Secretary Benson extends UOCAVA ballot delivery system to blind voters
85	Missouri		8/4/20	Statewide Primary
86	Washington		8/4/20	Statewide Primary
87	Tennessee		8/6/20	Statewide Primary
88	Hawaii		8/8/20	Statewide Primary
89	Connecticut		Postponed to 8/11/20	Statewide Primary/Presidential Primary			7BB: Gov. Lamont signs Executive Order postponing Connecticut's Primary Election to 8/11
90				7G: Gov. Lamont signs Executive Order postponing Connecticut's Primary Election to 6/2
91	Minnesota		8/11/20	Statewide Primary	Secretary Simon launches new online absentee ballot request tool ahead of 8/11 Primary Election
92	Vermont		8/11/20	Statewide Primary		HB681: Expands the powers of the Governor and Secretary of State to order changes to election procedures - Enacted
93	Wisconsin		8/11/20	Statewide Primary
94	Alaska		8/18/20	Statewide Primary
95	Florida		8/18/20	Statewide Primary
96	Wyoming		8/18/20	Statewide Primary
97	Massachusetts		9/1/20	Statewide Primary
98	New Hampshire		9/8/20	Statewide Primary	Secretary Gardner releases memo to election officials allowing for expanded absentee voting for the Primary and General Elections
99	Rhode Island		9/8/20	Statewide Primary
100	Delaware		9/15/20	Statewide Primary
101	Alabama		11/3/20	General Election	Secretary Merrill issues emergency rule allowing any qualified voter to cast an absentee ballot
102	Alaska		11/3/20	General Election
103	Arizona		11/3/20	General Election
104	Arkansas		11/3/20	General Election	Secretary Thurston announces voters would be allowed to cite concerns over COVID-19 as a valid excuse for voting absentee		EO 20-44: Gov. Hutchinson signs Executive Order clarifying absentee voting qualifications
105	California					SB 423: Modifications to administration procedures for the November General (voter education, polling places, and more)
106		11/3/20	General Election		State appeals court stays lower court order suspending N-67-20
107			AB-860: Establishes vote-by-mail for the General Election	N-67-20: Gov. Newsom signs Executive Order authorizing counties to consolidate polling places
108			RNC filed suit to stop Gov. Newsom from automatically sending ballots for General Election	N-64-20: Gov. Newsom signs Executive Order to send all eligible voters a ballot for California's General Election
109	Colorado		11/3/20	General Election
110	Connecticut		11/3/20	General Election		HB6002: Allows voters to cite concern over COVID-19 as a reason for voting by absentee and other administrative changes
111	Delaware		11/3/20	General Election		HB346: Automatic vote-by-mail applications to be sent to all qualified voters in the 2020 primary, general, and special elections
112	Florida		11/3/20	General Election
113	Georgia		11/3/20	General Election
114	Hawaii		11/3/20	General Election
115	Idaho		11/3/20	General Election
116	Illinois		11/3/20	General Election		SB863: Directs local election officials to send vote-by-mail ballot applications to all voters who voted in 2018 general, 2019 consolidated election, or 2020 primary election. Authorizes curbside voting and expands early voting hours
117	Indiana		11/3/20	General Election
118	Iowa		11/3/20	General Election	Secretary Pate announces that absentee ballot applications would be sent automatically to all active, registered voters
119	Kansas		11/3/20	General Election
120	Kentucky		11/3/20	General Election	Secretary Adams makes recommendations to Gov. Beshear about General Election
121	Louisiana		11/3/20	Statewide Primary and General Election
122	Maine		11/3/20	General Election
123	Maryland		11/3/20	General Election	State Board of Elections to increase ballot drop boxes for the General Election		Gov. Hogan orders state board of elections to send absentee/mail-in ballot request forms automatically to all qualified voters
124	Massachusetts		11/3/20	General Election
125	Michigan		11/3/20	General Election	Secretary Benson announces all registered voters will automatically receive mail-in ballot applications
126	Minnesota		11/3/20	General Election		LaRose v. Simon: State election officials agree to waive witness requirement for mail-in ballots and to count all mail-in ballots postmarked on or before 11/3 and received within 5 business days of Election Day
127	Mississippi		11/3/20	General Election		HB1521: Extends postmark deadline for absentee ballots to 11/3 and receipt deadline to 11/8. Also expands absentee eligibility for certain scenarios
128	Missouri		11/3/20	General Election		SB631: Permits any registered voter to request an absentee ballot with notarization requirements, some voters exempt
129	Montana		11/3/20	General Election			Gov. Bullock issued directive permitting counties to conduct the General Election by mail and expand early voting
130	Nebraska		11/3/20	General Election
131	Nevada		11/3/20	General Election			AB4: Directs election officials to send mail-in ballots automatically to all active, registered voters
132	New Hampshire		11/3/20	General Election			HB1266: Establishes concern over COVID-19 as a valid reason for voting absentee
133	New Jersey		11/3/20	General Election			EO 177: Gov. Murphy signs Executive Order to conduct the General Election by-mail with prepaid postage, closing schools on Election Day, and polling place requirements
134	New Mexico		11/3/20	General Election		SB4: Authorizes county clerks to mail absentee ballot applications to registered voters
135	New York		11/3/20	General Election		S8015D: Authorizes absentee voting; defines the term "illness" for the purposes of absentee voting to include instances where a voter is unable to appear personally at the polling place of the election district in which they are a qualified voter because there is a risk of contracting or spreading a disease causing illness to the voter or to other members of the public.
136	North Carolina		11/3/20	General Election	Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell issues emergency order mandating modifications to in-person voting	HB1169: Reduces witness signature requirements on absentee ballots from two to one
137	North Dakota		11/3/20	General Election
138	Ohio		11/3/20	General Election
139	Oklahoma		11/3/20	General Election
140	Oregon		11/3/20	General Election
141	Pennsylvania		11/3/20	General Election	Secretary Boockvar announced that the state will provide prepaid postage for all mail-in ballots
142	Rhode Island		11/3/20	General Election
143	South Carolina		11/3/20	General Election	Election Commission announces that return postage for absentee ballots would be prepaid
144	South Dakota		11/3/20	General Election
145	Tennessee		11/3/20	General Election		State Supreme Court vacates temporary injunction which had expanded absentee voting eligibility due to COVID-19
146	Texas		11/3/20	General Election			Gov. Abbott issues Promclamation extending early voting period to 10/13
147	Utah		11/3/20	General Election
148	Vermont		11/3/20	General Election	Secretary Condos issues directive to send a mail-in ballot to all active, registered voters for General Election, and other changes
149	Virginia		11/3/20	General Election		League of Women Voters of Virginia v. Virginia State Board of Elections: Reached a settlement which suspends the witness requirement for absentee ballots
150	Washington		11/3/20	General Election
151	West Virginia		11/3/20	General Election	Secretary Warner expands absentee eligibility to voters concerned about COVID-19 and sets up absentee ballot request portal
152	Wisconsin		11/3/20	General Election	Election Commission votes unanimously to send absentee/mail-in ballot applications automatically to registered voters
153	Wyoming		11/3/20	General Election
154	The District of Columbia		11/3/20	General Election


1		ALERT: While the Democracy Works team is doing its best to keep this page updated with COVID-19 changes, we recommend visiting your state's site for the most up-to-date information. You can also find useful links to check your registration status, vote by mail, and contact your local election official at alerts.howto.vote
2	State	Recent absentee voting changes and updates	More information about absentee voting	Is there excuse required to vote absentee?	Will all voters be proactively mailed absentee ballot applications?	Are voters eligible to vote absentee in upcoming primary and special elections because of the COVID-19 pandemic?	More information about voting absentee due to the COVID-19 pandemic	Guidelines for voting absentee due to COVID-19	Direct absentee ballot application or vote by mail link

3	Alabama	Kallon’s ruling applies to the July 14 runoff and limits enforcement of certain voting restrictions on certain voters, including those at risk of serious illness from COVID-19 because of age or medical condition and those with disabilities	https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/absentee-voting	Yes	No	Yes	State law allows the Secretary of State to issue absentee voting guidance during declared states of emergency, allowing Secretary Merrill to encourage voters to check the box which reads as follows (in the case none of the boxes are appropriate): “I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls. [ID REQUIRED]”	Any voter who does not wish to vote at their local polling place is eligible to apply for an absentee ballot under the box on the application that is most appropriate, and if none of the boxes are appropriate voters can check the box that reads: "I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls." Please note that voters must submit a copy of valid ID with their application for an absentee ballot.	Form
4	Alaska	State plans to mail absentee ballot applications to seniors	http://www.elections.alaska.gov/Core/votingbymail.php	No	Only voters who are 65+	No excuse required			Form
5	Arizona		https://azsos.gov/elections	No	Yes	No excuse required	Voters who do not mail back their ballot by the recommended deadline have until 7:00 p.m. on Election Day to drop off their ballot at their County Recorder’s Office or any ballot drop-box or voting location in the county.		URL
6	Arkansas	Governor OKs COVID as absentee excuse for November Election	https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/voter-information/absentee-voting	Yes	No	Yes	Voters can use the excuse of being “unavoidably absent” to request an absentee ballot according to the Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston.		Form
7	California	Gov signs executive order to send every Californian a mail-in ballot for November election.	https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/vote-mail/	No	N/A (all mail)	No excuse required	Pursuant to Executive Order N-64-20, all registered voters will be sent a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 3, 2020, General Election. Registered voters do not have to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot for this election.	Vote-by-mail ballots that are mailed must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county elections office no later than 17 days after Election Day. If you are not sure your vote-by-mail ballot will arrive in time if mailed, bring it to any polling place in the state between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.	Form
8	Colorado		https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/FAQs/mailBallotsFAQ.html	N/A	N/A (all-mail)	Elections are all-mail			N/A
9	Connecticut	Secretary of State releases CT voting plan, including mail-in absentee ballots amid pandemic	https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Voter-Information/Absentee-Voting	Yes	Yes	Yes	The Office of the Secretary of the State will provide an absentee ballot application to all eligible voters for the 2020 primary and general elections.	After processing by their town clerks, those who request absentee ballots will be provided with absentee ballots via a mail house contracted by the Office of the Secretary of the State. Secure drop boxes will be provided to every municipality so that absentee ballots may be deposited by voters.	Form
10	Delaware	Governor John Carney signed into law House Bill 346 that allows voters to vote by mail in the 2020 primary, general and special elections.	https://elections.delaware.gov/services/voter/absentee/index.shtml	Yes	Yes	Voting by mail is an alternative to in-person voting for all 2020 elections.	House Bill 346 makes voting by mail an alternative to in-person voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and establishes procedures for voting by mail which mirror the procedures for absentee voting. Voting by mail does not replace in-person voting, which will be available for those not voting by absentee or mail ballot.		Form
11	The District of Columbia	The D.C. Board of Elections says it will directly mail ballots to voters for the November general election.	https://www.vote4dc.com/ApplyInstructions/Absentee	No	N/A (all-mail)	No excuse required			Form
12	Florida		https://dos.myflorida.com/elections/for-voters/voting/vote-by-mail/	No	No	No excuse required			Contact clerk
13	Georgia		https://sos.ga.gov/index.php/Elections/absentee_voting_in_georgia	No	No	No excuse required			Form
14	Hawaii		https://elections.hawaii.gov/voters/hawaii-votes-by-mail/	N/A	N/A (all-mail)	Elections are all-mail			N/A
15	Idaho		https://idahovotes.gov/absentee-voter-information/	No	No	No excuse required			URL
16	Illinois	5 million Illinois voters to receive mail-in ballot applications after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs temporary vote-by-mail expansion	https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/VotingByMail.aspx?MID=ELGeUv9wLSI%3d&T=637196286491324000	No	Yes	No excuse required		All requests by mail must be received by the Election Authority by 10/29/2020.	URL
17	Indiana		https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/2402.htm	No	No	Yes			URL
18	Iowa	Iowa secretary of state to send absentee ballot applications to all registered voters	https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/electioninfo/absenteeinfo.html	No	Yes	No excuse required			Form
19	Kansas		https://sos.kansas.gov/elections/registration-voting/	No	No	No excuse required			Form
20	Kentucky	Kentucky election plan expands early voting, allows mail-in ballots for virus-concerned voters	https://elect.ky.gov/Voters/Pages/Absentee-Voting.aspx	Yes	No	Yes	An excuse is required. The fear of transmission of the virus is considered a "medical emergency" and falls under accepted excuses.	Absentee ballots can only be obtained by contacting the County Clerk’s office.	URL
21	Louisiana	Federal judge rules in favor of expanded mail-in ballots for Louisiana November election	https://www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting/Vote/VoteByMail/Pages/default.aspx	Yes	No	LA has expanded the reasons to request an absentee ballot	The ruling will allow Louisiana’s voters to request absentee ballots for the Nov. 3 general election and Dec. 5 runoff if they personally certify they are COVID-positive, quarantining pending COVID-19 test results, at greater risk because of comorbidities or caring for someone who fits those criteria.		Form
22	Maine		https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter-info/absenteeguide.html	No	No	No excuse required			URL
23	Maryland	Maryland to open all polling places on Election Day, mail application for absentee ballot to each voter	https://www.elections.maryland.gov/voting/absentee.html	No	Yes	No excuse required			Form
24	Massachusetts	SEC issues updated guidance on applying for an absentee ballot due to COVID	http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleabsentee/absidx.htm	Yes	Yes	No excuse required for voting by mail	Voting by mail is available to all voters for all elections in 2020. You do not need an excuse to vote by mail this year.	Applications must reach your local election office by August 26 for the State Primary. Applications must reach your local election office by October 28 for the State Election.	Form
25	Michigan	All state registered voters to be mailed Aug., Nov. absentee ballot applications	https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_8716-21037--,00.html	No	Yes	No excuse required			Form
26	Minnesota		https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/	No	No	No excuse required	All eligible Minnesota voters may request an absentee ballot for the primary and general elections at mnvotes.org. The online application will ask for an e-mail address and an identification number, either a Minnesota-issued driver's license, Minnesota ID card, or last 4 digits of Social Security Number.		Form
27	Mississippi	Mississippi justices: No broad absentee voting amid COVID-19	https://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-Voting/Pages/FAQs.aspx#a03	Yes	No	Excuses have been expanded due to COVID.	New statute allows registered voters to cast an absentee ballot if they are under a physician-imposed quarantine or if they are taking care of someone under quarantine because of COVID-19.		Contact clerk
28	Missouri		https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/howtovote#Absentee	Yes	No	No			Form
29	Montana	Nearly 40 Montana counties opt for all-mail ballots for November election	https://sosmt.gov/elections/absentee/	No		No excuse required			Form
30	Nebraska	Nebraska Secretary of State to send ballot request forms to every registered voter	https://sos.nebraska.gov/elections/early-voting	No	Yes	No excuse required			Form
31	Nevada	Nevada approves plan to mail ballots to all registered voters	https://www.nvsos.gov/sos/elections/voters/absentee-voting	No	N/A (All Mail)	No excuse required	On August 3, 2020, Governor Steve Sisolak signed AB4 into law, directing election officials to distribute mail-in ballots automatically to all active registered voters in the November 3, 2020, general election.		Form
32	New Hampshire	SOS and AG say any voter may vote absentee	https://sos.nh.gov/ElecForms2.aspx	Yes	No	Yes	Any voter who is unable to vote in person in the September 8, 2020 Primary Election or the November 3, 2020 General Election because of illness from COVID-19 or who fears that voting in person may expose himself/herself or others to COVID-19 will be deemed to come within the definition of “disability” for purposes of obtaining an absentee ballot.	Any voter who does not wish to vote at their local polling place is eligible to apply for an absentee ballot under the box on the application that is most appropriate, and if none of the boxes are appropriate voters can check the box that reads: “I am unable to vote in person due to a disability;” or “I cannot appear at any time during polling hours at my polling place because of an employment obligation. For the purposes of this application, the term "employment shall include the care of children and infirm adults, with or without compensation.”	Form
33	New Jersey	New Jersey Will Hold Mail-in Election in November, Over Trump’s Objections	https://nj.gov/state/elections/vote-by-mail.shtml	No	N/A (All Mail)	No excuse required			URL
34	New Mexico		https://www.sos.state.nm.us/voting-and-elections/voter-information/absentee-and-early-voting/	No	No	No excuse required			URL
35	New York	Cuomo signs bill to expand absentee voting in New York	https://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingAbsentee.html	Yes	No	Yes	S.8015-D/A.10833 Authorizes Voters to Request an Absentee Ballot Due to Risk of Illness, Including COVID		Form
36	North Carolina		https://www.ncsbe.gov/Voting-Options/Absentee-Voting	No	No	No excuse required			Form
37	North Dakota		https://vip.sos.nd.gov/PortalListDetails.aspx?ptlhPKID=53&ptlPKID=7	No	No	No excuse required			URL
38	Ohio		https://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/voters/absentee-voting/	No	No	No excuse required		The deadline to request an absentee ballot is three days before the election in which you want to vote, but voters can submit their application any time. If mailed, absentee ballots must be postmarked by the day before the election in order to be counted. You can also return your absentee ballot in-person to your county board of elections before the close of the polls at 7:30pm on Election Day.	Form
39	Oklahoma	Oklahoma Supreme Court strikes down requirement for absentee ballots to be notarized	https://www.ok.gov/elections/Voter_Info/Absentee_Voting/index.html	No	No	New criteria introduced in response to COVID	Senate Bill 210 allows registered voters who meet certain new COVID-19 criteria to claim “physically incapacitated” status for absentee voting at elections held during calendar year 2020. Absentee ballot affidavits for “physically incapacitated” voters and their caregivers are verified by two witnesses – no notarization is required. (Note: If a state of emergency for COVID-19 is in effect, a voter also has the option of verifying an absentee ballot affidavit by including a copy of valid identification. Learn more here.)	Voters who meet one or more of the following criteria may apply for an absentee ballot identifying themselves on as a “physically incapacitated” when they apply for absentee ballots: -The voter has tested positive for COVID-19 and is receiving medical treatment or is in quarantine ordered by a personal physician or by the county health department. -The voter has been tested for COVID-19 and is either in quarantine or is self-isolating while waiting for the test results. -The voter has symptoms of COVID-19, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control, and has been advised by a personal physician or a county health department to quarantine or self-isolate. -The voter is a member of a group considered at “higher risk of severe illness” due to age or underlying health conditions and is subject to a “stay at home” or “safer at home” or similar order by the Governor or by an authorized municipal authority. -The voter has received a written recommendation from a personal physician that due to an underlying health condition the voter should not leave his or her home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.	URL
40	Oregon		https://sos.oregon.gov/voting/Pages/voteinor.aspx	N/A	N/A (all-mail)	Elections are all-mail			N/A
41	Pennsylvania	By-Mail Voting Encouraged by Secretary of State	https://www.votespa.com/Voting-in-PA/Pages/Mail-and-Absentee-Ballot.aspx	Yes	No	Yes, all voters can vote by mail with a no-excuse mail ballot	If you plan to be out of the municipality on election day or if you have a disability or illness, you should request an absentee ballot, which still requires you to list a reason for your ballot. If you aren't an absentee voter, you may apply for a mail-in ballot. You may simply request this ballot without a reason.	Voters should request a no-excuse required mail-in ballot if they do not qualify for an absentee ballot.	URL
42	Rhode Island	Gorbea Announces All Active RI Voters to Receive Mail Ballot Applications for November	https://elections.ri.gov/voting/applymail.php	Yes	Yes	Yes	Rhode Island allows a voter to apply for an absentee ballot for "No specific reason necessary: If you may not be able to get to the polls on Election Day, you can fill out a mail ballot application and receive a mail ballot."	Any voter who does not wish to vote at their local polling place is eligible to apply for an absentee ballot under the box on the application that is most appropriate, and if none of the boxes are appropriate voters can check the box that reads: "4. I may not be able to vote at my polling place in my city/town on the day of the election."	Form
43	South Carolina		https://www.scvotes.org/absentee-voting	Yes	No	Yes	All voters are now qualified to vote absentee under the "State of Emergency" reason.		URL
44	South Dakota		https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/absentee-voting.aspx	No	Voters had the option to request a ballot for the general on the application sent earlier this year	No excuse required			Form
45	Tennessee	Tennessee updates mail voting application after court ruling	https://sos.tn.gov/products/elections/absentee-voting	Yes	No	No	Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office says voters who have underlying health conditions particularly susceptible to COVID-19 can get absentee ballots by selecting the “illness or physical disability” on the application. Caretakers of those voters can select the caretaker excuse. The application itself doesn’t mention underlying health conditions or COVID-19, but the secretary of state’s website does.		URL
46	Texas	Texas Supreme Court: Lack of immunity to coronavirus alone isn’t enough for mail-in ballot	https://www.votetexas.gov/voting/when.html#helpful-hints-on-voting-early-by-mail	Yes	No	No			Form
47	Utah		https://secure.utah.gov/voterreg/index.html	N/A	N/A (all-mail)	Elections are all-mail			URL
48	Vermont	For the General: A ballot will be mailed to every active voter on the statewide voter checklist.	https://sos.vermont.gov/elections/voters/early-absentee-voting/	No	N/A (all-mail)	No excuse required	For the General, the Secretary of State will use the mailing address contained in any pending request for a General Election ballot first, and if none will use the mailing address in the voter’s record second, and if none the legal address in the voter’s record.	Postage for the mailing of ballots and the return of ballots to the Clerks by voters will be paid by the Secretary of State’s office. All envelopes will be pre-paid.	URL
49	Virginia	Voters are exempted from a requirement that anyone submitting an absentee ballot must have the ballot signed by a witness in June primary	https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/absentee-voting/	Yes	No	Yes	The Virginia Department of Elections has updated their homepage and absentee voting page to read that voters may choose reason "2A My disability or illness" for Absentee voting in the May 2020 elections due to COVID-19.	Any voter who does not wish to vote at their local polling place is eligible to apply for an absentee ballot under the excuse that is most appropriate, and if none of the boxes are appropriate voters can use excuse "2A My disability or illness."	URL
50	Washington		https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/faq_vote_by_mail.aspx	N/A	N/A (all-mail)	Elections are all-mail			N/A
51	West Virginia	West Virginia Secretary of State: All voters eligible to request absentee ballot for November election	https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Pages/AbsenteeVotingInformation.aspx	Yes	Unknown for the General	Yes	Secretary of State declared that due to the COVID-19 pandemic voters can apply for an absentee ballot for: "illness, injury or other medical reason which keeps me confined."	Any voter who does not wish to vote at their local polling place is eligible to apply for an absentee ballot under the box on the application that is most appropriate, and if none of the boxes are appropriate voters can check the box that reads: "Illness, injury or other medical reason which keeps me confined."	Form
52	Wisconsin	Wisconsin Elections Commission Votes To Send Absentee Ballot Applications To 2.7M Voters	https://elections.wi.gov/voters/absentee	No	Yes	No excuse required			URL
53	Wyoming	Wyoming Secretary of State sends absentee ballot request forms to voters	https://soswy.state.wy.us/Elections/State/AbsenteeVoting.aspx	No	Voters had the option to request a ballot for the general on the application sent earlier this year	No excuse required			Form

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ALERT: While the Democracy Works team is doing its best to keep this page updated with COVID-19 changes, we recommend visiting your state's site for the most up-to-date information. You can also find useful links to check your registration status, vote by mail, and contact your local election official at alerts.howto.vote

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State

Recent absentee voting changes and updates

More information about absentee voting

Is there excuse required to vote absentee?

Will all voters be proactively mailed absentee ballot applications?

Are voters eligible to vote absentee in upcoming primary and special elections because of the COVID-19 pandemic?

More information about voting absentee due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Guidelines for voting absentee due to COVID-19

Direct absentee ballot application or vote by mail link

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Alabama

Kallon’s ruling applies to the July 14 runoff and limits enforcement of certain voting restrictions on certain voters, including those at risk of serious illness from COVID-19 because of age or medical condition and those with disabilities

https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/absentee-voting

Yes

No

Yes

State law allows the Secretary of State to issue absentee voting guidance during declared states of emergency, allowing Secretary Merrill to encourage voters to check the box which reads as follows (in the case none of the boxes are appropriate):
“I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls. [ID REQUIRED]”

Any voter who does not wish to vote at their local polling place is eligible to apply for an absentee ballot under the box on the application that is most appropriate, and if none of the boxes are appropriate voters can check the box that reads: "I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents my attendance at the polls." Please note that voters must submit a copy of valid ID with their application for an absentee ballot.