Tuesday, Nov. 5, is less than a month away. If you are planning on casting a vote, don’t let the date creep up on you.
If you haven’t got an idea of where to start, keep reading.
The process may seem convoluted and scary from the abstract, but we are going to break it down for you: state by state, quick and simple.
Out-of-state students:
The first order of business is to decide where you’re registering to vote. You can only be registered and vote in one state and one time in the election, according to most state laws.
Some things to consider may include where your vote will have the most impact, what and who’s on the ballot in each state, deadlines for requesting absentee ballots and what is the most convenient for your situation.
Voting in Vermont:
Vermont does not have a voter registration deadline. Registration is allowed even on Election Day, according to the Secretary of State.
However, if registering online, it is recommended that you fill out the forms by the Friday before the election to have your name appear on the poll checklist. If you register online afterward, you will be asked to fill out a paper application at the polls, according to the Vermont Secretary of State.
All polling locations are open until 7 p.m. on Election Day.
If you are already registered to vote in Vermont, an absentee ballot should also be mailed to you as all active voters receive general election ballots.
However, this is only applicable to those registered before Oct. 1, 2024. If you register after the first of the month, you can request a ballot during your online registration and track its delivery on the “My Voter Page” of the Vermont Secretary of State website.
Completed absentee ballots must be returned by Nov 5. at 7 p.m.
Voting “at home:”
If you want to vote in your home state, but can’t make it back for Election Day, you can vote absentee. Absentee voting, as defined by the U.S. government, allows voters who cannot or do not want to vote in person to cast mail-in or drop off ballots.
In this case, you must register to vote in your home state with your permanent address—probably the one on your driver’s license. Your mailing address for the ballot should be your college address or wherever you would like it delivered.
Here is where you should “command F” for your state or territory.
Alabama — Six UVM students: Registration ends on Monday, Oct. 21. Each county has specific absentee ballot application requirements explained on the Alabama Secretary of State website. However, for all counties, the absentee ballot application deadline is Oct. 29 by mail and Oct. 31 in person.
Ballots must be returned by noon on Nov. 5, Election Day, if delivered by mail.
California — 299 UVM students: To vote absentee, voters must be registered by 15 days before the election, on Oct. 21. Registration can be done online through the California Secretary of State office website. Once registered to vote, California sends all voters ballots by mail and has a website to track your absentee ballot. To check on the status of your ballot after applying, contact your local election office.
The voted ballot must be returned by seven days after the election, and be postmarked on or before Nov. 5.
Colorado — 152 UVM students: Colorado allows voters with valid social security numbers and Colorado driver’s licenses or ID cards to register up until Oct. 28 online or by mail. Paper registrations can be completed without the aforementioned documents. All Colorado voters receive a mail ballot which must be received by your county clerk’s office, a polling center or a designated drop-off location by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Connecticut — 787 UVM students: Voter registration in Connecticut ends on Oct. 18 and can be completed online through the Secretary of State office website. Absentee ballots can be downloaded online once you are registered. Requests for ballots must be received in person or by mail one day before the election, however, it is recommended to submit your request at least seven days before.
Your ballot must be returned to your Town Clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Hawaii — 11 UVM students: Voters in Hawaii may register online at any time, including on Election Day. Paper registration applications may also be submitted, but must be received by the County Elections Division by Oct. 28 by 4:30 p.m.
Once registered, your absentee application request must be received by Oct. 29 at the latest and must be mailed to your County Elections Division. If you are already registered, however, Hawaii sends all voters a ballot by mail at least 18 days before the election, which can be tracked through their website.
Completed ballots must arrive at your County Elections Division by the close of the polls at 7 p.m. on Nov. 5.
Illinois – 264 UVM students: Voters can register up until Oct. 20 online. Once registered, mail-in ballot applications must be sent to your county by Oct. 31. Your completed ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day if mailing it back. If you are able to return your ballot in person, it must be submitted by the close of polls on Election Day.
Iowa – 12 UVM students: Eligible voters can register until Oct. 21 through the voter registration form, which must be completed and returned to your county auditor’s office. Once registered, absentee ballots can be requested through an absentee ballot request form and returned to your county auditor. Both registration and ballot requests must be submitted by Oct. 21 at 5:00 p.m. Voted ballots must be returned by mail or in-person to the county auditor’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Massachusetts — 2,243 UVM students: Eligible voters can register online up until Oct. 25 through the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Once registered, absentee ballots may be applied for until Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. Applications may be submitted to your local election office online, or by mail, email or fax to your local election office. To return your voted ballot, you must mail it back to your local election office in the provided envelope.
The envelope must be postmarked on or before Election Day and arrive by 5 p.m. on Nov. 8.
Michigan — 94 UVM students: Eligible voters can register online or by mail until Oct. 21. Once registered, absentee ballots must be requested online or by mail by Nov. 1, at 5 p.m. However, it is recommended by the Michigan Secretary of State to send a request by mail at least 15 days before Election Day to ensure it arrives on time. Your local election office will send an absentee ballot back to you which you can track the status of online. Once completed, the ballot must be received by a voter’s local clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Nebraska — 8 UVM students: Voters can register until Oct. 18 online or by mail. Once registered, absentee ballot requests must be sent to your county election official by mail, email or fax by Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. Voted ballots must be returned by mail by Nov. 5 at the close of the polls.
New York — 1,397 UVM students: Voters can register by mail or online by Oct. 26. Once registered, applications for mail-in ballots must also be completed by Oct. 26. Completed ballots must be returned in the provided pre-paid return envelope to your county Board of Elections by Nov. 12. They must be postmarked no later than Nov. 5.
Pennsylvania — 581 UVM students: Voters can register online or by mail to their county voter registration office until Oct. 21. Once registered, applications for mail-in ballots must be received by mail or online by the county election office by 5 p.m. on Oct. 29. Completed ballots must be returned to the County Election Office before 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Utah — 29 UVM students: Voters can register online, in-person or by mail. Your voter registration must be received by your county clerk by 5 p.m. Oct. 25. If you are registered to vote in Utah your mail-in ballot will be automatically sent between Oct. 15 and Oct. 29. Your absentee ballot must be mailed back before 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.
Washington — 95 UVM students: Voter registration online or by mail closes eight days before election day. You do not need to request a ballot if you are registered to vote. Ballots are mailed 18 days before election day. The latest ballots can be postmarked is Nov. 5 2024.
Wyoming — 7 UVM students: You must register to vote by mail in Wyoming. The deadline for voter registration is 14 days before the election. The absentee voting period begins 28 days before the election and ends the day before the election. Your ballot must be received by the county clerk’s office by 7 p.m. on Nov. 5 2024.
Voter Registration Closed:
Voter registration for these states ended around 30 days before Election Day, on Oct. 7 this year, unless otherwise stated.
Alaska — Ten UVM students: Alaska allows voters three options for absentee ballots. Registered voters can apply online or through a paper application that must be printed and returned with a handwritten signature. The application should be sent to the Division of Elections Absentee and Petition Office in Anchorage and must be received 10 days before the election.
To vote by mail, the ballot must be postmarked on or before Nov. 5 and received by ten days post-Election day. You also must have a witness present to sign your ballot envelope.
To vote by electronic transmission, you must apply by 5 p.m. the day before Election Day and return your completed ballot by mail or fax. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Nov. 5 and faxed ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on the day of the election.
Arizona — 16 UVM students: Registered voters are able to request absentee ballots for Arizona as either one-time ballot-by-mail voters or by joining the Active Early Voting List. You can sign up for the early voting list online or by filling out a written request form. To request a one-time ballot you have four options: request online, call your county recorder, fill out a written request or email your county recorder.
The ballot must be requested by 5 p.m., 11 days prior to the election. Voted ballots are due by 7 p.m. on Election day.
Arkansas — Four UVM students: The mail-in ballot application deadline is Oct. 29 by mail or online, and Nov. 1 for in-person. The application should be sent to your local county clerk by mail, fax or email, and they must receive it by seven days before the election, which is also Oct. 29. If you return your application in person, they will accept it up until the Friday before the election.
Your ballot must arrive at your county clerk’s office by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, according to the Alaska Secretary of State website.
Delaware — 23 UVM students: Delaware’s voter registration ended Oct. 12. Information and registration on requesting an absentee ballot can be found in Delaware’s voting portal. Requests must be submitted by the fourth day before the election. The last day that the Department of Elections Offices can send out a ballot is Nov. 1, according to the 2024 Election Calendar. Ballots must be returned to the elections office by 8 p.m. on election day.
District of Columbia — 67 UVM students: All registered voters are automatically mailed an absentee ballot starting on Sept. 30. Changes of address or other registration information must have been submitted by Oct. 15 online, however, you can still register in person at the DC Board of Elections office, voter registration agencies, Early Vote Centers or any DC vote center on Election Day. Your ballot should be returned by mail and postmarked by Nov. 5.
Florida — 104 UVM students: The deadline for requesting your absentee ballot for Florida is Oct. 24, 2024. The website recommends that you mail in your absentee ballot at least one week ahead of Election Day. You can request an absentee ballot by mail, in person, or by phone to your local election office.
Your ballot must be returned to the Town Clerk by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Georgia — 65 UVM students: Absentee ballots in Georgia can be requested between 78 and 11 calendar days before the election. To apply for a mail-in ballot, your application which can be submitted online, by mail, fax or in person, must arrive at your county clerk by the 11th day before Election Day.
Your completed ballot needs to arrive by the closing of the polls at 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Idaho — 15 UVM students: Idaho’s voter registration ended on Oct. 11. Once registered, voters may request absentee ballots online or by mail by Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. Completed ballots must be mailed back to your county elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Indiana — 34 UVM students: To apply for a mail-in ballot, registered voters must submit an application by Oct. 24. Submission can be done by email, fax or in-person by 11:59 p.m. Absentee ballots must be completed and returned by mail or in-person by 6 p.m. local time on Election Day.
Kansas — Eight UVM students: Voter registration ended on Oct. 15. Absentee ballots can be requested until Oct. 29 by completing an application form which must be sent to your local county election office. Completed ballots sent through mail must be postmarked on or prior to Election Day. Your ballot also must arrive no later than the end of the business day on Nov. 8 to be counted according to the Kansas Secretary of State.
Kentucky — 30 UVM students: The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot in Kentucky is Oct. 22 at 11:59 p.m. The online absentee request form is on the State Board of Elections website. Completed ballots must be submitted to your county clerk by the close of polls, 7 p.m., on Election Day.
Louisiana — 12 UVM students: Louisiana’s voter registration ended Oct. 7 for mail or in-person registration and Oct. 15 for online registration. For registered voters, Louisiana allows you to request an absentee ballot online or through mail to your parish registrar of voters. To request online through the Louisiana Voter Portal, you have to click “Search By Voter,” enter your information, and then click “Request Absentee Ballot,” under the “Quick Links” heading. The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. on the fourth day before Election Day, Nov. 1.
Completed ballots must be returned by the day before Election Day, Nov. 4 at 4:30 p.m.
Maine — 323 UVM students: Maine ended their voter registration on Oct. 15. Once voters are registered, you may request an absentee ballot online or through mail to your municipal clerk. The mail-in ballot application must be completed by Oct. 31 at 5:00 p.m. Once your ballot has been completed, it should be returned by Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.
Maryland — 400 UVM students: Maryland ended their voter registration on Oct. 15. Once voters are registered, they can request absentee ballots until Oct. 29 to receive a ballot in the mail or fax; voters can also request ballots up until 5 p.m. on Nov. 1, if they wish to receive a ballot online. Voted ballots should be received by your local board of elections by 10 a.m. on Nov. 15, 2024, and be postmarked on or before Election Day.
Minnesota — 127 UVM students: Voter registration for Minnesota ended on Oct. 15. Registered voters can request mail-in ballots until Nov. 4 online or through mail to your county election office or to the MN Secretary of State. Your ballot must be witnessed and signed by a registered Minnesota voter or notarized. Completed ballots must be returned through the mail by Election Day.
Mississippi — 2 UVM students: Registered voters must request absentee ballots directly from their local election office. If you are approved, request that an Official Application for Absentee Elector’s Ballot be mailed to you from your local election office. Once you receive this application, complete it, have it signed by a notary public and send it back to your Circut Clerk’s Office.
Once the clerk receives your ballot request, they will send an official ballot. The official ballot must be completed in front of a witness and an affidavit included on the envelope must be filled out. Completed absentee ballots should be sent back to the County Circut Clerk and postmarked by Nov. 5. Ballots must arrive by Nov. 13 to be counted according to the Secretary of State.
Missouri — 19 UVM students: Registered voters may request mail-in ballots from their local election authority by mail, email or fax by Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. Completed ballots should be returned by mail by Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.
Montana — 11 UVM students: Registered voters may request mail-in ballots from their county election office until noon on Nov. 4. However, the United States Postal Service recommends voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Completed ballots are due by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.
Nevada — 12 UVM students: Registered voters in Nevada all receive a ballot by mail, if your address needs to be updated, you can update your registration online. Completed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 5.
New Hampshire — 426 UVM students: Voter registration varies between counties as it officially closes after the officials create their last checklist before Election Day. Voters can still register in person on Election Day, or if they are unable to do so, they can contact their clerk directly to request a voter registration in the mail. Once registered, absentee ballots can be requested from your town clerk in person, or by applying by mail or fax. Completed absentee ballots must be returned to your local clerk by mail or in-person by 5 p.m. on Election Day.
New Jersey — 796 UVM students: Voter registration ended Oct. 15. Registered voters can apply to vote absentee by mail and return the application to their county clerk at least seven days before the election. Completed ballots must be returned by mail no later than six days after the election and postmarked on or before 8 p.m. Election Day.
New Mexico — 13 UVM students: Registered voters can apply for mail-in ballots online or through mail to your county clerk’s office until Oct. 22. Voters must complete their ballots and return them to the clerk’s office by 7 p.m. on Election Day by mail or in-person.
North Carolina — 134 UVM students: Registered voters can apply for a mail-in ballot until Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. To do so, you can fill out the application and mail it to your local election office, or request one online. Once you receive and complete your ballot, it must be sent back and received by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5.
Ohio — 94 UVM students: Registered voters can request an absentee ballot until Oct. 29. The absentee ballot application should be completed and sent to your county board of elections. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Nov. 4 and received no later than four days after the election.
Oklahoma — 8 UVM students: Registered voters can request mail-in ballots until Oct. 21 by sending a paper application form to the county election office by mail, email or fax, or applying online. Mail-in ballots must be returned to the county election office by 7 p.m. on Election Day, and the affidavit on the envelope must be completed in the presence of a notary public.
Oregon — 75 UVM students: All registered voters in Oregon will have a ballot mailed to them about two weeks before the election. However, if your registration includes an address that is not current, an absentee ballot request form can be completed or you can update your registration. Ballots must be returned to the county clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Rhode Island — 199 UVM students: The mail-in ballot application deadline was Oct. 15. However, any registered voter may cast an early ballot in person at their city or town hall in the 20 days preceding the election. Additionally, most voting sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mail-in ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
South Carolina — 40 UVM students: Mail-in ballots can be applied for until Oct. 25. To apply, contact your local election office and determine if you are eligible. Once you are mailed an application, it should be returned to your local election office by 5 p.m. Oct. 25. Voters will be mailed an absentee ballot which should be completed and sent to your county voter registration office by 7 p.m. on election day.
Tennessee — 36 UVM students: Mail-in ballots must be applied for by registered voters by Oct. 29. Applications must be mailed, emailed or faxed to your county election commission so they arrive no later than seven days before the election. Completed ballots must be returned by the closing of the polls on Election Day.
Texas — 92 UVM students: Mail-in ballot applications must be received by the county clerk by Oct. 25. The form can be emailed or faxed to the Early Voting Clerk, but the original hardcopy must also be sent and received no later than the fourth business day after the Clerk received the email or fax. Completed ballots may be returned by mail no later than 7 p.m. on Nov. 5.
Virginia — 307 UVM students: The deadline for online voter registration in Virginia is 22 days before the election day, though for voting in-person you can register at the polls. Apply online or by mail to vote absentee. If you are mailing your ballot back, it must be postmarked on or before election day. Mailed ballots will be received until noon on the third day after the election.
West Virginia — 11 UVM students: The deadline for voter registration was Oct. 15. You can register to vote online. You cannot request a mail-in ballot as a college student. The requirements are listed on the Secretary of State’s website.
Wisconsin — 65 UVM students: The deadline for voter registration either online or by mail is Oct. 16. You can request your absentee ballot up until Oct. 31. Your ballot must be at the county clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2024.
