Recommended citation: Movement Advancement Project. "Availability of No-Excuse Absentee Voting." https://www.mapresearch.org/democracy-maps/absentee_requirements. Accessed [day of access]
A small number of states conduct all-mail elections, where every eligible voter is mailed a ballot without having to request one. Ballots are returned through the mail or to secure ballot drop boxes or election offices. Voters who wish to do so may still cast their ballot in-person at a polling place. All-mail elections allow voters more options to cast their ballot and may increase turnout as well as lower election administration costs.
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State conducts all-mail elections
(8 states + D.C.)
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State does not conduct all-mail elections
(42 states)
Recommended citation: Movement Advancement Project. "All-Mail Voting States." https://www.mapresearch.org/democracy-maps/mail_voting_states. Accessed [day of access]
Breakdown by Population
*Note: These percentages reflect the voting-eligible population, as reported by the United States Election Project.
19 % of voting-eligible population lives in states that conduct all-mail elections
81 % of voting-eligible population lives in states that do not conduct all-mail elections
Absentee voting allows voters to cast their ballot without going to a traditional polling place, in most cases by voting through the mail. States differ in the requirements to qualify to vote absentee, with some states allowing any voter to do so and others requiring an excuse, such as a medical emergency. States that conduct all-mail elections, where every eligible voter is mailed a ballot, are categorized here as no-excuse absentee states.
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State does not require an excuse to vote absentee
(36 states + D.C.)
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State requires an excuse to vote absentee
(14 states)
Recommended citation: Movement Advancement Project. "Availability of No-Excuse Absentee Voting." https://www.mapresearch.org/democracy-maps/absentee_requirements. Accessed [day of access]
Breakdown by Population
*Note: These percentages reflect the voting-eligible population, as reported by the United States Election Project.
25 % of voting-eligible population lives in states that require an excuse to vote absentee
75 % of voting-eligible population lives in states that do not require an excuse to vote absentee
