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:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker

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The Ballot Bulletin

The Ballot Bulletin is a weekly email that delivers the latest updates on election policy. The Ballot Bulletin tracks developments in election policy around the country, including legislative activity, big-picture trends, and recent news. Each email contains in-depth data from our Election Administration Legislation Tracker. You'll also be able to track relevant legislation, with links to and summaries of the bills themselves.

Recent issues

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See also

• Absentee/mail-in voting
• Ballotpedia's elections calendar
• Changes to vote-by-mail and absentee voting procedures in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020