• The 2022 midterm elections are on Tuesday, November 8.
  • While most states don't require an excuse to submit a mail-in ballot, the rules differ by state.
  • There are 16 states that require voters to submit an excuse in order for them to request an absentee ballot.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, mail-in voting has become a particularly popular option for voters.

The rules on casting absentee ballots vary state by state. While some states conduct all-mail elections or do not require an excuse to vote absentee, there are 16 states where voters must meet a state-approved excuse in order to vote by mail.

Seven states and the District of Columbia conduct all-mail elections. This means that voters do not have to request their absentee ballots because the state will send them out to most or all voters automatically. Voters in these states can vote in-person during early voting or on Election Day as well.

Excuses are required in 16 states in order to vote by mail. Acceptable excuses will vary, but examples include if the voter will be out of the county on Election Day or is a student living outside the county; is serving on a jury; is over a certain age (65-plus in most places); is an election or poll worker; has certain religious beliefs or practices; has an illness or disability; is incarcerated, but still eligible to vote; or must work during all voting hours. Not all states that require excuses accept every kind, so make sure to double-check which excuses are valid in your state.

For voters who submit an absentee ballot, many states will require the ballot to be verified by a signature match, a copy of the voter's photo ID, or a notary signature. Not all states require ballot verification, so check to make sure if your state requires it before submitting your ballot.

The other 27 states do not require voters to submit an excuse when they request their mail-in ballot.

The deadline to request a ballot has passed in most states, but there is still time to submit them to election officials if you have not yet done so. Many states will accept ballots as long as they have been postmarked or received by Election Day, November 8.

The majority of states also allow voters to drop-off their ballots in person on Election Day at their local election office or in a drop box.

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