All-mail voting

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Eight states – California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington – conduct what are commonly referred to as all-mail elections. In these states, voting is conducted primarily, although not necessarily exclusively, by mail. This article addresses the utilization of all-mail elections in the United States. See the sections below for additional information.[1]

Background

Every state provides for some method whereby voters can cast ballots without visiting a physical polling place. The terms absentee voting, voting by mail, all-mail voting, or voting from home are sometimes used to describe these methods, which can be divided into two categories: automatic mail-in ballot systems and request-required mail-in ballot systems.

Automatic mail-in ballot systems

Automatic mail-in ballot systems mandate that all eligible voters receive either a ballot or ballot application by default. These are sometimes referred to as all-mail voting systems. Access to mail-in voting is not restricted to voters meeting certain eligibility criteria.

  • Automatic mail-in ballots: Officials automatically transmit mail-in ballots to all eligible voters. Voters may return these ballots by mail or by using designated deposit sites. Limited in-person voting is generally available, although the number of polling sites and terms of accessibility vary from state to state.
  • Automatic mail-in ballot applications: Officials automatically transmit mail-in ballot applications to all eligible voters. A voter must in turn submit a completed application in order to receive a ballot. The voter then returns the completed ballot by mail or by using designated deposit sites. In-person voting is widely available, but it is not necessarily the dominant means by which voters cast their ballots.

Request-required mail-in ballot systems

Request-required mail-in ballot systems require that eligible voters initiate the process for receiving, and casting, mail-in ballots. These have traditionally been described as absentee voting systems. Access to mail-in voting may be restricted to voters meeting certain eligibility criteria.

  • No excuse required: Any voter may request a mail-in ballot. Generally, a voter must first submit an application in order to receive a ballot. The voter may then return the completed ballot by mail or by using a designated deposit site. In-person voting is dominant.
  • Excuse required: A voter must meet eligibility criteria in order to qualify for a mail-in ballot. Generally, a voter must first submit an application in order to receive a ballot. The voter may then return the completed ballot by mail or by using a designated deposit site. In-person voting is dominant.

States with automatic mail-in ballot systems

The map and table below detail those states that have implemented automatic mail-in ballot systems.

Automatic mail-in ballot systems
State Automatic mail-in ballot system type Description
California Automatic mail-in ballot Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop-boxes and drop sites. In-person voting booths are also available.[2]
Colorado Automatic mail-in ballot Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop-boxes and drop-off locations. In-person voting is available to all voters at designated voter service and polling centers.[3]
Hawaii Automatic mail-in ballot Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop sites, voter service centers, or clerk's offices. In-person voting is available to all voters at designated voter service centers.[4]
Nevada Automatic mail-in ballot Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop-boxes and drop sites. In-person voting booths are also available.[5]
Oregon Automatic mail-in ballot Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop-boxes and drop sites. In-person voting booths are also available.[6]
Utah Automatic mail-in ballot Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop sites and polling locations. In-person voting is available to all voters at designated polling locations.[7]
Vermont Automatic mail-in ballot Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default in general elections. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop sites. In-person voting is also available.[8]
Washington Automatic mail-in ballot Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop sites. In-person voting is available to all voters at designated voting centers.[9]
Washington, D.C. Automatic mail-in ballot Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. Voters may submit completed ballots by mail or deposit them at designated drop sites. In-person voting is available to all voters at designated voting centers.[10]

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See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ We use the term "absentee/mail-in voting" to describe systems in which requests or applications are required. We use the term "all-mail voting" to denote systems where the ballots themselves are sent automatically to all voters. We use the hyphenate term for absentee voting because some states use “mail voting” (or a similar alternative) to describe what has traditionally been called "absentee voting."
  2. ↑ California Legislative Information, "Elections Code - ELEC DIVISION 3. VOTE BY MAIL VOTING, NEW RESIDENT, AND NEW CITIZEN VOTING (3000 - 3503)," accessed January 22, 2024
  3. ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Mail-in Ballots FAQs," accessed January 22, 2024
  4. ↑ Hawaii Office of Elections, "Hawaii Votes by Mail," accessed January 22, 2024
  5. ↑ Nevada Legislature, " NRS 293.269911  Preparation and distribution of mail ballots; exceptions; mail ballot contents; time for distribution; mootness of untimely legal action which would prevent distribution." accessed January 22, 2024
  6. ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Vote by Mail Procedures Manual," accessed January 22, 2024
  7. ↑ Vote.Utah.gov, "Learn about voting by mail," accessed January 22, 2024
  8. ↑ Vermont General Assembly, "17 V.S.A. § 2537a," accessed January 22, 2024
  9. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Frequently Asked Questions on Voting by Mail," accessed January 22, 2024
  10. ↑ District of Columbia Board of Elections, "Casting your Vote," accessed January 22, 2024
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