November draws near, and with it comes a presidential election. Now is the time to check your voter status to learn if you can vote where you currently reside or if you’ll need to look to vote by mail. If you are incapable of voting in-person or simply don’t want to —like some states allow—you’ll be voting by mail. The question then becomes, how?

The difference between absentee ballot and mail-in voting

Before you try casting your vote through the mail, it’s important to determine which method you use. Absentee ballots and mail-in voting are similar but unique enough to have their own requirements and regulations.

What is an absentee ballot?

An absentee ballot is a ballot cast by someone who cannot physically make it to a voting center, referred to as an absentee. An absentee could be someone with a disability that prohibits them from traveling or a student who now lives outside of the county they are registered to vote in. 

To cast an absentee vote, one must request an absentee ballot from their state government. Once approved, the voter will receive their ballot in the mail, which they can then fill out, sign, and return to cast their vote. Each state has different requirements for this process, and you can find information specific to where you live at the Can I Vote website. This information includes how to apply for the absentee ballot, what information is needed, and how to mail in your ballot once completed. 

The other factor to keep in mind is deadlines. These apply to both when you request your absentee ballot and when you return it. Stay up to date on your state’s mandated deadlines so that you cast your vote in time.

What is a mail-in ballot?

A mail-in ballot is something that registered voters automatically receive in select states. Often referred to as all-mail voting, these ballots can be mailed back or deposited at designated voting locations once completed. For these states, an absentee ballot could still be requested by voters who will be traveling out of state during the election period. You may already be familiar with this process, but you can check if your state is one that offers all-mail voting if needed.

Once again, you’ll need to keep deadlines in mind. In some states, if returning your ballot by mail, you’ll need to have postmarked your ballot on or before election day, and your local election office must receive it within seven days. Some deadlines are much earlier or later than others though, and it’s imperative that you abide by the deadlines your state has set

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