2024 US elections: In which states can voters already cast a ballot?

The US General Election is just a few short weeks away, and already, over a dozen states are allowing residents to cast their votes early. Casting an early vote can reduce pressure on polling locations on election day and reduce waiting times. By Sunday, October 20, early voting will be underway in sixteen states:

Voting early in Arizona

Those who to vote early in Arizona you can request a ballot through the state’s Voter Information Portal or by contacting your corresponding County Recorder’s office. For voters that always want to receive an early ballot through the mail, can join the AEVL list. To get a ballot in the mail, one must sign up at least eleven days before the election. One can also update their voter registration information by re-registering and checking the box marked “YES, I want to automatically receive an early ballot for each election for which I am eligible.” This request can also be made online by logging into one’s Service Arizona web portal. More information can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Voting early in Georgia

In Georgia, localities are able to determine the early voting period, but state law requires that polling locations be open on:

The early voting window begins on Tuesday, October 15. Check with you local election office to see what early voting options you have available.

Voting early in Illinois

Any “qualified” voter, meaning someone registered, can vote early in Illinois. If you would like to cast your ballot early, you must identify the polling location that will be open in your town or county. You can locate the location closest to you through the Illinois State Board of Election’s website. For those who have yet to register, the portal can also identify places where you can register.

The state’s voter registration deadline was October 8. If missed it, one can register in person at a ‘grace period registration site’ through election day.

Voting early in Indiana

Most localities allow Hoosiers to vote early, and one can identify the polling places and when they will be open before election day through the state’s website. The voter should contact the corresponding office to see when they can cast their ballot in-person.

Voting early in Louisiana

Early voting is available at designated locations in each parish starting seven to eighteen days before the election. This year, voting will begin in some parishes on Friday, October 18. Ballots cannot be cast on Sundays. More information can be found on the state’s website.

Voting early in Maine

Any registered voter in Maine can participate in early voting by casting an absentee ballot either in person or by mail. The state allows same-day registration, meaning individuals who are not registered can register and vote on the same day, including during early voting periods.

Voting early in Massachusetts

Early voting will begin on Saturday, October 19 with the state reporting that “there will be at least one early voting site within each community.” You can identify that location using a tool on the Secretary of State’s website.

Voting early in Minnesota

Those hoping to vote early must request an absentee ballot, which can be done without providing an excuse in Minnesota. Voters can request a ballot online, and the state recommends doing so promptly to ensure that the county election office has time to distribute it. Once you have your ballot, you should identify where in your town or country you can cast your vote early.

All counties will have at least one location that will be open Monday to Friday through Monday, November 4. Typically, the offices will allow votes to be cast between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, but the hours vary by location and should be checked before heading out. Additionally, the state requires that locations be open until 7:00 pm on Tuesday, October 29, and from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, October 26, Saturday, November 2, and Sunday, November 3. On Monday, November 4, the day before election day, these locations will be open until 5:00 pm.

For more information on early voting in Minnesota, check out the Secretary of State’s website.

Voting early in New Mexico

Ballots can be cast early in New Mexico, and voters visit “their local County Clerk’s office or an early voting location prior to Election Day” to do so. To find the nearest early you can visit the state’s website.

Voting early in North Carolina

The early voting period in North Carolina begins on Thursday, October 17, 2024 and ends at 3:00 pm local time on Saturday, November 2. You can search by county to identify the early voting locations in your area online.

Voting early in Ohio

On the Secretary of State’s website, voters in the Buckeye state can identify the location where they can “cast an early in-person ballot at their county board of elections.”

Voting early in Rhode Island

Starting on Wednesday, October 16, voters will be able to head to their “city or town hall or at a designated location during regular business hours” to cast their ballot early. To see the full operating hours across the state, visit the state’s election website.

Voting early in Tennessee

You do not need an excuse to vote early in person in Tennessee. Those looking to cast their ballot “must appear in person at either the county election commission office or at a satellite voting location opened by the county election commission.” The full list of offices can be found on the state’s website.

Voting early in Virginia

All registered voters in Virginia can cast their ballots early at general registrar’s offices or, in some cases, at satellite offices, which are up to each county to set up. The Department of Elections maintains an up-to-date list of these secondary locations on its website.