In the weeks leading up to Election Day, November 5, 2024, most voters across the country will be able to vote in person or, in most states, by mail. The map below provides more information about early voting options.
Alabama became the first state to send mail-in ballots on September 11. It is one of 10 states that begin sending mail-in ballots to voters more than 45 days before Election Day. Some states begin early in-person voting in September. Military and overseas ballots must be sent 45 days before Election Day, so they will be mailed on September 21. Each state sets its own voter registration deadline.
Americans have seen a dramatic expansion in their ability to vote early, both in person and by mail, since the turn of the century. The Center for Election Innovation and Research notes that in 2000, only 40% of voters had access to early voting, either in person or by mail. Now, 97% have at least one option to vote before Election Day.
Map of state-by-state voting options for the 2024 elections
This map shows where early voting options are available and what options are available.
States that provide early voting and mail-in voting to all voters
Forty-six states and the District of Columbia offer early voting options to all voters. According to the Center for Election Innovation and Research, the following states offer both early in-person and mail-in voting to all voters:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California: Vote-by-mail: Every registered voter receives a ballot.
- Colorado: Vote-by-mail: Every registered voter receives a ballot.
- DC: Vote-by-mail: Every registered voter receives a ballot.
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii: Vote-by-mail: Every registered voter receives a ballot.
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Main
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada: Vote-by-mail: Every registered voter receives a ballot.
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon: Vote-by-mail: Every registered voter receives a ballot.
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Utah: Mail-in elections: Every registered voter receives a ballot.
- Vermont: Vote-by-mail: Every registered voter receives a ballot.
- girl name
- Washington: Vote-by-mail: Every registered voter receives a ballot.
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
States that offer early voting to everyone but require a qualifying reason for mail-in voting
In states where early voting is available, you must have a qualifying reason to vote by mail.
- Connecticut
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Missouri
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
States that do not offer early voting options to all voters and require a qualifying reason to vote by mail
Four states do not allow early voting and require a qualifying reason to vote by mail, meaning not everyone in those states can vote on any day other than Election Day.
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- New Hampshire
- West Virginia
Harris-Trump race heats up in key states
The race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is fierce in seven of the most competitive battleground states in the U.S. CBS News polls in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania September CBS News shows them tied or within 2 points, which is within the margin of error. Updated regularly Here are estimates of how well Harris and Trump fared in seven key battleground states that are likely to determine who wins the presidential election: these three, plus Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina and Georgia.
On September 10, Harris and Trump travel to Philadelphia. First discussion — It’s their only debate so far. Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and Trump’s vice presidential nominee, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, are scheduled to meet in New York on Oct. 1. A debate hosted by CBS News.
Republicans, Democrats brace for election challenge
Both Republicans and Democrats have assembled teams of lawyers to address all voting issues surrounding the election. Since 2020, more than 20 counties in eight states, including Arizona, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, have attempted to block election certification. This year alone, officials in key states have Nevada and Michigan They tried to refrain from certifying local elections as a preview of what might happen after the November election.
Republican groups have been urging GOP voters to embrace early voting and mail-in voting, erase He has called mail-in voting “dangerous” and often undermines such efforts. He and his Republican allies and officials continue to raise the specter of election fraud and urge voters not to trust absentee ballots. In June, the former president warned thousands at a rally in Detroit to “watch your vote” because “they”—Democrats—will “destroy” and “end” their vote in November.
In Georgia, the state election board last month approved two rules that would give local officials in Georgia counties the power to raise questions about the election results before they certify them. Certifying votes formally ends the campaign process of counting and counting ballots. The rules are unique in that political appointees on the board seek to expand the role of officials certifying votes at the county level. The new rules could delay the certification of the presidential election results beyond the strict deadline of 5 p.m. ET on November 12.
