Search by State & Topic

You will be required to show proof of identity at the polling place before receiving a ballot. You will announce your name and place of residence to the election official and present one form of identification that bears your name, address, and photograph or two different forms of identification that bear your name and address. An identification is valid unless it can be determined on its face that it has expired.

Acceptable forms of identification with photograph, name, and address:

• Valid Arizona driver's license
• Valid Arizona non-operating identification license
• Tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification
• Valid U.S. federal, state, or local government issued ID

Acceptable forms of identification without a photograph that bear your name and address (two required):

• Utility bill that is dated within 90 days of the date of the election. A utility bill may be for electric, gas, water, solid waste, sewer, telephone, cellular phone, or cable television
• Bank or credit union statement that is dated within 90 days of the date of the election
• Valid Arizona Vehicle Registration
• Indian census card
• Property tax statement of your residence
• Tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification
• Recorder's certificate
• Valid U.S. federal, state, or local government issued ID, including a voter registration card issued by the county recorder

Other acceptable forms of identification are one identification with name and photo of the elector accompanied by one non-photo identification with name and address.

• Any valid photo identification from List 1 in which the address does not reasonably match the precinct register accompanied by a non-photo identification from List 2 in which the address does reasonably match the precinct register
• U.S. Passport without address and one valid item from List 2
• U.S. Military identification without address and one valid item from List 2

An identification is valid unless it can be determined on its face that it has expired.

A first-time voter who registers and did not provide identification with their application, may need to show identification at the polls. To be safe, bring your driver's license or another photo ID.

You must either show identification or sign a one line affidavit at the polling place if you have not provided proper identification when registering. A photo ID is not required. Acceptable forms of ID at the polling place are:

• A Social Security card
• Any other preprinted form of identification that shows your name and address, name and signature, or name and photograph.

If you do not have identification, the affidavit form requires your name, residential address, date of birth, and signature. The affidavit states, under penalty of false statement, that you are the one whose name appears on the official checklist.

First time voters who registered to vote by mail and did not provide acceptable ID at registration must show identification at the polls or with their absentee ballots. Acceptable forms of identification include a copy of a current and valid photo ID or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. If you are a first time voter, you will be required to present identification and may not use the secretary of state's affidavit in lieu of acceptable ID.

Identification is required of first-time voters who register by mail and do not provide proof of identification with their application.

When you arrive at your polling place, you will be required to present one of the following forms of identification:

• A Georgia driver's license, even if it is expired
• A photo ID issued by a state or federal government agency
• A valid U.S. passport
• An employee ID card containing your photograph and issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of Georgia
• A valid U.S. military ID card
• A valid tribal ID card.
• If you do not have one of the above forms of ID, the State of Georgia offers a free Voter Identification Card.

If you are unable to show identification at the time of voting you may cast a provisional ballot which will be counted only if you present identification within the two day period following the election. For more information on the acceptable forms of photo ID and the free Voter Identification Card, please visit your state's resource.

All voters are required to show photo ID or sign a Personal Identification Affidavit to cast a regular ballot. Acceptable forms of ID include:

• An Idaho driver's license or photo Identification Card
• A U.S. passport or Federal photo identification card
• A current student photo ID, issued by an Idaho high school or post secondary education institution.
• A tribal photo identification card.

NOTE: The name on the ID must match the name on the registration list in the poll book but common abbreviations and nicknames are acceptable.

Photo ID is required of all voters casting a ballot in person. There are exceptions for certain confined voters and voters casting absentee ballots by mail. Acceptable forms of ID include: driver's license, passport, military ID or picture ID from the bureau of motor vehicles. The criteria for acceptable ID include:

• Photograph
• A name which matches the voter registration record
• An expiration date after Election Day
• Must have been issued by the U.S. government or the state of Indiana

A student ID from an Indiana State school may only be used if it meets all of the four criteria specified above. A student ID from a private institution may not be used for voting purposes. For more information for college students, click here.

Voters must show photo ID when casting a vote. Acceptable forms of ID include:

• A driver's license or nondriver's ID card issued by Kansas, or by another state or district in of the U.S.
• A concealed carry of handgun license issued by Kansas, or a concealed carry of handgun or weapon license issued by another state or district of the U.S.
• A U.S. passport
• An employee badge or ID document issued by a municipal, county, state, or federal government office or agency
• A military ID issued by the U.S.
• A student ID card issued by an accredited postsecondary institution of education in the state of Kansas.
• A public assistance ID card issued by a municipal, county, state, or federal government office or agency.
• An ID card issued by an Indian tribe

Photo ID is also required for early voting and absentee voting. EXCEPTIONS AVAILABLE: Persons over 65 may use expired documentation as proof of identity.

FREE ID: ID cards for persons over 17 years old are free if the applicant signs an affidavit attesting that the ID is needed for purposes of voting in Kansas and that the applicant does not possess any other form of identification qualifying as acceptable ID for voting. The applicant must also produce evidence that he/she is a registered voter in Kansas. Find that affidavit here. Unique among the states, Kansas provides free birth certificates to persons born in Kansas if needed to acquire a photo ID for voting.

To vote, you must either present a valid photo ID, or sign an affidavit if no photo ID is available. Acceptable photo ID includes:

• A Louisiana driver's license
• A Louisiana special ID card
• Any other generally recognized picture ID card that contains your name and signature

Voters who do not have a photo ID may bring a utility bill, payroll check or government document that includes their name and address but they will have to sign an affidavit in order to vote.

You will be asked to provide identification at the polling place if:

• You are voting for the first time in Maryland
• You registered to vote by mail on or after January 1, 2003
• You have not previously met the identification requirements

If you registered to vote by mail after January 1, 2006, you most likely satisfied the identification requirement during the registration process. If you did not satisfy the requirement, your county election board will have notified you and requested information to satisfy the identification requirement. You can satisfy the identification requirement by providing one of the following:

• A copy of a current and valid photo ID (i.e., Maryland driver's license, MVA-issued ID card, student, employee or military ID card, U.S. passport, or any other state or federal government issued ID card.)
• A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address.

All voters are requested to show an acceptable form of photo identification at the polls. Your photo ID does not need to have your address on it. In addition, the name on your identification card may be a shorter form of your name. For example, Bill for William and Kathy for Katherine are acceptable. After showing your photo ID to the poll worker and signing the application, you may cast your ballot. Acceptable photo ID includes:

• Driver's license or personal ID card issued by another state
• Federal or state government-issued photo ID
• U.S. passport
• Military identification card with photo
• Student identification with photo from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education
• Tribal identification card with photo

Voters without photo ID: Michigan election law anticipates that not all voters will have photo ID. Voters who do not have acceptable photo ID or forgot to bring acceptable photo ID to the polls can vote like any other voter by signing an affidavit. Questions regarding the voter identification requirement can be directed to your local city or township clerk's office.

If you do not have a driver's license or other acceptable photo identification, you can get a state identification card at your local Secretary of State branch office for $10. State ID cards are free to individuals who are 65 or older or who are blind. Cards are also free to those who have had driving privileges terminated due to a physical or mental disability. Proof of identiy and residencey are requred when applying for a state ID card. Visit this site for details on what forms are acceptable in order to prive identity and residency, or call 888-767-6424.

If you do not provide proper identification when you register to vote, you may be required to show one of the following identification documents to the election officials at the polling place on Election Day:

• A copy of current valid photo identification
• A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address

You must present ID when voting. When you enter your polling place, an election judge will greet you, ask your name, and confirm that you are registered to vote in that precinct. He or she will then ask you to show ID. This can be any current photo ID that shows your name (for example, a valid driver's license, school ID, state ID, or tribal ID) or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, voter confirmation notice, government check or other government document that shows your name and current address.

If you do not have any of these forms of ID, you can still vote by requesting and filling out a Polling Place Elector ID form. Or you can vote a provisional ballot.

Identification is necessary at the polls if you have not shown your ID when you registered. This is only required the first time you vote. Identification must show proof of residence, proof of identity and a picture is required. Examples of recommended identification include a driver's license or any government issued ID. If the current photo identification does not include the voters current address please bring, a copy of a current utility bill, bank statemet, government check, or other government document that shows voter's name and current residence address is required.

Identification is not required unless you are a first time voter who registered by mail and did not provide ID verification with application. If you registered to vote by mail in your county after January 1, 2003, and never voted in a federal election in the county, you are required to provide your county commissioner of registration with identification.

Acceptable Identification includes current and valid photo ID such as:

• Driver's license
• Student or job ID
• Military or other government ID
• Store membership ID
• United States passport
• Bank statement
• Car registration
• Government check or document
• Non-photo driver's license
• Rent receipt
• Sample ballot
• Utility bill
• Any other official document

Every person registering to vote must provide his or her NJ driver's licensenumber or MVC non-driver ID number. If the registrant does not haveeither a driver's license or MVC ID, the last four numbers of his or her socialsecurity number must be provided. These numbers will be verified by theNew Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. The registrant will be notified if thenumbers cannot be matched. If the registrant does not have a driver's license, MVC non-driver ID or social security number, the box in section

If you show identification, you will vote via the voting machine. If you do not show identification, you will vote via provisional ballot and have until the close of business on the second day after the election, to provide identification to the applicable county election office. You will be given a hand-out at the polling place that will tell you which county election office to contact.

If you are a new voter who is registering by mail, you will be required to show identification when you go to vote for the first time. If you are already registered at the board of elections or a state agency, you should not have to show identification at the polls. It is advisable for all new voters to bring identification when voting for the first time. Acceptable IDs to to vote are:

Acceptable forms of identification must include a street address. P.O. Boxes do not establish residency and CANNOT be accepted.
Acceptable forms of identification with residential addresses are:

• Valid drivers license
• Valid state identification card
• Valid federally issued identification card, such as a passport or agency identification card
• Valid tribal government issued identification card
• Valid student identification card
• Valid United States military identification card
• Utility bill dated 30 days prior to Election Day with name and residential address
• Change of address verification letter from the U.S. Postal Service

If you do not have one of the forms of identification listed above, you still have the right to vote if:

• An election poll worker is able to vouch for your identity and residence
• You complete a voter's affidavit on which you certify, under oath, your identity and that you are a resident within this precinct

When voting in person you will need one of the following types of identification:

• An Oklahoma driver's license
• State identification card
• A U.S. passport
• Military identification
• A voter identification card recieved by mail from the County Election Board when you registered to vote. The law allows use of the voter identification card even though it does not include a photograph or an expiration date.
• An Oklahoma ID card issued to a person who is 65 years old or older is valid even though it does not have an expiration date

If you do not have proof of identity, you may only vote by provisional ballot. When you cast a provisional ballot you will be required to fill out and sign an affidavit swearing or affirming you are the person identified on the precinct voter registry. Your provisional ballots will be sealed inside a special envelope and not put through the voting device.

After election day, County Election Board officials will review the information you provided on the affidavit and if it matches your voter registration information they will count your ballot. If the information you provided does not match your voter registration information your vote will be rejected.

Unless your are a first time voter, you do not need to show any ID to vote a regular ballot on Election Day.

First time voters are required to show some form of ID, but it does not need to be a photo ID. Acceptable forms of ID are:

• Pennsylvania driver's license or PENNDOT ID card
• ID issued by any Commonwealth agency
• ID issued by the US Government
• US Passport
• US armed Forces ID
• Student ID
• Employee ID
• Voter registration card issued by voter registration commission
• Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth that shows name and address
• Non-photo ID issued by the US Government that shows name and address
• Firearm permit
• Current utility bill that shows name and address
• Current bank statement that shows name and address
• Current paycheck that shows name and address
• Government check that shows name and address

All voters may be asked to show ID at the polls, however, you cannot be stopped from voting a regular ballot if you do not provide a valid ID.

You will be asked to show one of the following Photo IDs on Election Day:

• South Carolina Driver's License
• ID Card Issued by South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
• South Carolina Voter Registration Card with Photo
• Federal Military ID
• U.S. Passport

If you do not have one of the above photo IDs, you can one for free by doing one of the below actions:

• Registered voters can get a voter registration card with a photo from their county voter registration and elections office by providing their date of birth and the last four digits of their Social Security number.
• Get a DMV ID card at a local DMV office. To see what documentation is required click here.

If you do not have a photo ID on Election Day you may be able to vote a provisional ballot after showing your non-photo voter registration card. You must have a reasonable impediment to obtaining a photo ID in order to vote the provisional ballot. Reasonable impediments include:

• Religious objection to being photographed
• Disability or illness
• Work schedule
• Lack of transportation
• Lack of birth certificate
• Family responsibilities
• Election within short time frame of implementation of Photo ID law (January 1, 2013)
• Any other obstacle you find reasonable

To vote under the reasonable impediment exception:

• Present your current, non-photo registration card at the polling place
• Sign an affidavit stating why you cannot obtain a photo ID
• Cast a provisional ballot that will be counted unless the county election commission has reason to believe your affidavit is false.

If you do not have a photo ID and do not have a reasonable impediment to obtaining one, or you forgot to bring it with you to the polls, you may still vote a provisional ballot. However, for your vote to be counted you must provide one of the photo IDs to the county election commission prior to certification of the election (usually the Thursday or Friday after the election).

A photo ID is required when you vote. All voters must present an ID containing the voter's name and photograph when voting at the polls, whether voting early or on Election Day. Any of the following IDs may be used, even if expired:

• Tennessee drivers license with your photo
• United States Passport
• Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
• Photo ID issued by the federal or any state government
• United States Military photo ID
• State-issued handgun carry permit with your photo
• Memphis library photo ID card

IDs that are not acceptable:

• College student IDs and photo IDs not issued by the federal or a state government

Who is exempt?

• Voters who vote absentee by mail
• Voters who are residents of a licensed nursing home or assissted living center and who vote at the facility
• Voters who are hospitalized
• Voters with a religious objection to being photographed
• Voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee

If you do not have a photo ID you may obtain a free photo ID from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security at a driver service center. You will need proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate), two proofs of Tenessee residency (such as a voter registration card, utility bill, vehicle registration/title, or bank statement), and if your name differs from that on your primary ID, proof of the changed name (such as a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, certified court order, etc.). If you do not have a photo on your driver's license and no other form of valid photo ID, you may visit a driver service center to have your photo added to your license for free upon request.

If you do not bring a valid photo ID to the polling place you may vote a provisional ballot. You will then have two business days after Election Day to return to the election commission office to show a valid ID.

For more information visit the Tennessee Secretary of State website.

In order to vote in Utah you need a valid voter ID. This is either a form of ID that has your name and photo or two forms of ID that have your name and proof of residence. Accepted forms of ID include:

• A current, valid Utah driver's license
• A current, valid ID card issued by the state or a branch, department, or agency of the United States
• A current, valid Utah permit to carry a concealed weapon
• A current, valid US passport
• A valid tribal ID card, whether or not the card includes a photo of the voter

Or, provide two forms of the following:

• A current utility bill or copy dated within 90 days before the election
• A bank or other financial account statement, or a copy
• A certified birth certificate
• A valid Social Security card
• A check issued by the state or federal government or a copy
• A current, valid Utah hunting or fishing license
• A paycheck from the voter's employer, or a copy
• A current, valid US military ID card
• Certified naturalization documents (not a green card)
• A certified copy of court records showing the voter's adoption or name change
• A bureau of Indian Affairs card
• A tribal treaty card
• A valid Medicaid or Medicare or Electronic Benefits Transfer card
• A current, valid ID card issued by a local government within the state
• A current, valid ID card issued by an employer
• A current, valid ID card issued by a college, university, technical school or professional school within the state
• A current Utah vehicle registration

All voters are required to show ID at the polls. Acceptable forms of ID are:

• Virginia voter registration card
• Valid Virginia driver's license
• Military ID
• Any Federal, Virginia state or local government-issued ID
• Employer issued photo ID card
• Concealed handgun permit
• Valid student ID issued by any institution of higher education located in the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck indicating the name and address of the voter
• Social Security card (does not satisfy special federal ID requirements - more information below)

All Virginia active registered voters will be mailed a new Virginia voter registration card before the election. Be sure to register today and a voter registration card will be mailed to you after your application has been processed.

Voters without acceptable ID will be given the opportunity to vote a provisional ballot. After completing the provisional ballot, the voter will be given written instructions on how to submit a copy of their ID so that their vote can be counted. A voter will have until noon on the Friday following the election to deliver a copy of the ID to the local electoral board. Voters may submit their copy of ID by fax, email, in-person or through USPS or commercial delivery service. If the copy of ID is not delivered by noon on the Friday after the election the provisional ballot will not be counted.

Special Federal ID Requirements for Certain First Time Voters:

If you registered to vote in Virginia by mail, you must show ID when voting (in-person or absentee) for the first time in a federal election if you did not send a copy of one of these IDs with your voter registration applications. Acceptable forms of ID are:

• A current and valid photo ID (like a driver's license)
• Current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck that shows name and address
• Another government document that shows name and address (like a voter card)
• A social Security card does NOT count as acceptable ID

If the voter does not present one of these forms of ID at the polls they will be offered a provisional ballot that includes a voter information statement. The provisional ballot will only count if the voter later provides the required ID. If the voter returns an absentee ballot by mail without a copy of one of these forms of ID, the absentee ballot with be treated as a provisional ballot and counted only if the voter provides a copy of the ID to the electoral board by the deadline.

If you registered by mail, you will have to take a current and valid photo ID; or a copy of a current document with the updated name and address of the voter the first time you vote.

Fill out your absentee ballot request here.

There is no excuse required to use an absentee ballot in Arizona. Arizona allows the federal write-in absentee ballot (FWAB) to be used in a primary, general or special election where federal offices will be elected. In order to be eligible to use the FWAB, the county recorder must receive your request for a regular early ballot before 7:00 pm on Election Day and you must not have received that ballot.

A FWAB will not be counted if the application for the regular early ballot is received after 7:00 pm on Election Day or if your regular early ballot is received by the county recorder by 7:00 pm on Election Day.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Voter Foundation.

Any registered voter may Vote By Mail. You use one of the following methods to vote by mail:

• Applying in writing to your county election official
• Completing the absentee ballot application that is included in your sample ballot, which your county elections official will mail to you prior to each election
• Downloading and completing an vote-by-mail application on-line.

Elections officials process applications 29 days to 7 days before an election. You may request an absentee ballot more than 29 days before an election, but not fewer than 7 days in advance.

Absentee ballots must be received by the elections official no later than the close of polls (8:00 pm) on Election Day.You may return your absentee ballot by returning it in person or by mail to your county election official or in person to any polling place in your county or by end of polls closing on Election Day. If, because of illness or physical disability, you are unable to return the ballot yourself, you may designate a spouse, child, parent, grandparent, sibling, or a person residing in the same household to return the ballot to the elections official or precinct board at any polling place within the jurisdiction.

Permanent Absentee Voting (PAV)

Any registered voter may apply for permanent absentee voter status. If you are a permanent absentee voter, you will automatically receive an absentee ballot for each election. To become a permanent absentee voter, you must complete an application, which is available from your county election official.

If you complete an application to become a permanent absentee voter, you will retain this status as long as you vote in all statewide primary and general elections. If you fail to cast a ballot in two consecutive statewide general elections, you will be removed from the permanent absent voter list and will need to reapply in order to restore status.

Late Absentee Ballot Requests

If, in the seven days before the election, you find you will not be able to vote in person on Election Day, you may still request an absentee ballot. You must make a written request, signed under penalty of perjury, and deliver it, either in person or by someone you designate, to your county election official.

According to California Elections laws, individuals, organizations and groups may distribute absentee ballot applications; however, they must use the uniform format as specified in the California Elections Code. A copy of the application form is available on your state's website.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

You may vote absentee beginning 31 days before an election, 21 days before a primary, 19 days before a referendum. You can fill out an absentee ballot request here. You may also call, e-mail, write or apply in person at your town clerk's office. When the application is completed, it must be returned to your town clerk's office, which will then issue you the absentee ballot and required enclosure envelopes. The sealed marked ballot and signed outer envelope must reach the town clerk's office before the close of the polls on Election Day.

You may vote by absentee ballot if you expect to be unable to appear at your polling place during the hours of voting due to one the following reasons:

• You will be absent from town during all the hours of voting
• Illness
• Physical disability
• Religion tenets that forbid secular (non-religious) activity on Election Day
• Your required performance of duties as a primary, referendum, or election official at a polling place other than your own during all the hours on Election Day

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

You do not need a reason to vote absentee. There are two ways to cast an absentee ballot. You can vote absentee ballot by mail or cast an in-person absentee ballot at the board of elections office.

You can fill out an absentee ballot request form here.

You must request a mail absentee ballot in writing up to seven days prior to an election. Your absentee ballot must be postmarked or delivered to the board of elections office on or before Election Day. The return envelope must be signed in order for your vote to be counted.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

There is no specific deadline for absentee ballot applications to be received. However, no absentee ballots will be issue on the day before, or the day of the election.

You do not need to provide a reason to request an absentee ballot by mail. You may request an absentee ballot as early as 180 days before an election. Absentee ballots must be received by the county board of registrars' by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. No absentee ballots are issued on the day before or the day of an election. You may fill out an absentee ballot request here. The application must be in writing and contain the address to which the ballot is to be mailed, sufficient information to identify you as a voter, and the election in which you wish to vote. If you are physically disabled or living temporarily outside your county of residence, a close relative may apply for an absentee ballot for you. You may vote by absentee ballot in person at the registrars' office, Monday through Friday, the week prior to the election without having to provide a reason.

A physically disabled or illiterate voter may receive assistance from another voter in the same county or municipality or from the same category of relatives who can make an application for or deliver an absentee ballot. If the voter is outside of the county or municipality, then a notary public can provide such assistance. Any person who assists another person to vote absentee must complete an oath prescribed by law demonstrating the statutory disability and that the ballot was completed as the voter desired. Other than federal elections, no person may assist more than ten voters in a primary, election, or runoff. A candidate on the ballot, or a relative of a candidate on the ballot, may not offer assistance during the election to any voter who is not related to the candidate.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

You can fill out an absentee ballot request form here or any registered voter may apply in writing to the County Clerk to receive an absentee ballot. The application must give the name of the elector, residence address in Idaho, and mailing address to which the ballot is to be forwarded. The mail-in application shall be signed personally by the applicant and be received by the County Clerk no later than the sixth day before the election.

In person voting at the absentee elector's polling place ends at 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the election.

All registered voters in Indiana are eligible to vote absentee-in-person at the county election board office beginning 29 days before Election Day. Please see the 'Early Voting' section below for more information.

If you wish to have your absentee ballot sent to you by mail or delivered to you by a traveling board, you must meet one of the following requirements:

• Have a specific, reasonable expectation that you will be absent from your county of residence on Election Day during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open (6:00 am to 6:00 pm)
• Are an election official
• Are confined on Election Day due to illness or injury during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open
• Are a voter with disabilities
• Are 65 years of age or older
• Are caretakers of an individual(s) confined to a private residence due to illness or injury and prevented from voting during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open
• Are scheduled to work for the entire 12 hours that the poll is open
• Are prevented from voting due to observing a religious discipline or holiday during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open
• Participate in the address confidentiality program

If you are eligible to vote absentee, you must fill out the application Submit your application for an absentee ballot at least eight days before the election. If you are a confined voter or a voter caring for a confined individual, there are other deadlines and requirements that apply.

To vote by mail, follow these instructions:

• Complete the application for an advance ballot
• Provide either your driver's license number on the ballot application or a copy of your photo ID document with your application
• Return the application to your county election office before the deadline of November 2, 2012 for the General Election
• The ballot will be mailed to you. Complete and return your ballot to your county election office by mail beginning October 17, 2012 for the General Election
• All ballots must be received in the county election office by the close of the polls on Election Day
• You may request assistance in applying for and casting an advance voting ballot

You must have a reason to vote by mail, unless you are a military or overseas citizen (please see below for more information for military and overseas voting). There are 12 reasons to vote by mail:

• You are a senior citizen 65 years of age or older
• You are a home or a nursing home or veterans' home resident and you have been previously approved for the Disability program, or you are disabled, homebound or a nursing or veterans' home resident and you are submitting current proof of disability with your application. For more information on the Disability Program, click here.
• A student, instructor, or professor (or spouse or dependents of the following,) in an institution of higher learning located outside the parish.
• A minister, priest, rabbi, or clergy (or spouse or dependents of the following,) assigned to a religious post outside the parish.
• A person who is or who expects to be temporarily outside the territorial limits of the state or absent from the parish during early voting and on Election Day.
• A person who has moved after the registration books closed (30 days prior to an election) to another parish and the new residence is more than 100 miles from the parish of former residence.
• A sequestered jury member.
• A person who expects to be hospitalized on Election Day and did not have such knowledge until after early voting week passed.
• A person who expects to be hospitalized on Election Day and who was hospitalized during early voting.
• A person who was hospitalized and released prior to an election but who is either hospitalized or restricted to bed during early voting and on Election Day.
• A person who by virtue of employment or occupation expects to be out of their precinct during early voting and on Election Day.
• You are involuntarily confined in an institution for mental treatment outside your parish of registration and you are not interdicted and not judically declared incompetent.

To request normal absentee ballots by mail, you must complete and return a request for absentee ballot indicating the reason you are not able to vote in person absentee or in person on Election Day.

You may request an absentee ballot as early as 60 days prior to the election.

Timeline to request an absentee ballot by mail

• Military Personnel: Anytime before 4:30pm on the day before election day
• US Citizens residing outside the US: Anytime beofre 4:30pm on the day before election day
• Hospitalization: By 4:30pm on the day before election day
• All others: Anytime before 4:30pm on the 4th day before election day

Deadlines for returning your voted ballots

• Military Personnel: By 8pm on election day
• US citizens residing outside the US: By 8pm on election day
• Hospitalization: By 8pm on election day
• All others: By 4:30pm on the day before election day

You are entitled to receive assistance while absentee voting if you are unable to read or unable to vote without assistance because of a physical handicap, including blindness. You may choose who assists you as long as they are not a candidate, employer, employer's agent or your union agent.

Displaced voters can vote by mail or vote early in person at the registrar of voters office of their parish , or on election day at their precinct. Contact your for more information. You can also click here for a displaced absentee ballot. Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

Registered voters who are out of their county of residence due to Hurricane Sandy are able to apply for an absentee ballot up to 5 pm Monday November 5, 2012. The state Board of Elections is authorized to electronically deliver absentee ballots to such voters. Completed ballots must be mailed on or before Election Day and received by the local Board of Elections no later than November 16, 2012. Find the executive order here.

Any registered voter can vote absentee. You can obtain an absentee ballot by filling out the absentee ballot application. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is usually seven days before an election. However to find out exact dates please contact local board of elections

After you receive your ballot, vote the ballot and return it to your county board of elections on or before 8:00 pm on Election Day. A ballot received by the county board of elections will be counted provided it has been received by 8:00 pm on Election Day or it was mailed before Election Day, bearing a postmark verifying that fact, and the ballot is received from the postal service or private mail carrier on the second Friday after the election. You must remember to affirm on the oath that is returned with your voted ballot that you will be absent or unable to vote in person in the election. If you will not be absent or are able to vote in person in the election, you should not complete and submit this form and should plan on voting at your polling place on election day.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

As a registered voter, you may obtain an absentee ballot if you are:

• 60 years old or older
• Unable to vote without assistance at the polls
• Expecting to be out of town on Election Day
• In jail awaiting arraignment or trial
• Unable to attend due to religious reasons
• Appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence

A person who registers to vote by mail must vote in person in the first election in which he or she participates. The restriction does not apply to overseas voters, voters who are handicapped or voters who are 60 years of age or older.

Requests to have an absentee ballot mailed to you must be submitted to your local clerk no later than 2:00 pm the Saturday before the election. You can also fill out an absentee ballot request form here.

If an emergency, such as a sudden illness or family death, prevents you from reaching the polls on Election Day, you may request an emergency absentee voter ballot. Requests for an emergency ballot must be submitted after the deadline for regular absentee ballots has passed, but before 4:00 pm on Election Day. The emergency must have occurred at a time which made it impossible for you to apply for a regular absentee ballot. Your local clerk will have more information about emergency absentee voter ballots.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

There is no specific deadline for absentee ballot applications for the Tuesday, November 6, 2012 General Election. However, it is recommended that you submit your request for an absentee ballot no later than Tuesday, October 30, 2012 to allow for enough time to receive, vote and submit your ballot before the deadline.

You are eligible to vote absentee if you are a duly qualified and registered voter who will be absent from your county of residence on Election Day or are:

• A disabled war veteran who is a patient in any hospital and a citizen of Mississippi
• A citizen of Mississippi temporarily residing outside the territorial limits of the United States and the District of Columbia
• An employee engaged in interstate transportation
• A student, teacher or administrator
• An employee engaged in offshore employment, or as an employee on a vessel or other watercraft
• An employee, businessperson, professional, tradesman or worker required to be over 50 miles away from the county of residence on election day due to employment
• A person with a temporary or permanent physical disability
• 65 years of age or older
• A parent, spouse or dependent of a person with a temporary or permanent disability hospitalized more than 50 miles from home county and with such person Election Day
• A member of a congressional delegation

Please check with your voter registrar to determine if you are entitled to vote absentee and to learn the procedures for doing so. You can fill out an absentee ballot request form here.

U.S. military personnel and overseas citizens can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

If you are a registered voter, you may vote by absentee ballot, even if you are able to vote in person on Election Day. To vote absentee, you must first apply for an absentee ballot. Applications are available during a period beginning 75 days before Election Day and ending at 12:00 pm on the day before the election.

You may pick up an application at your local election office or at the secretary of state's Office, or you may call either office and ask to have an application mailed to you. Mail the application or drop it off at your local elections office. Once you have submitted your application, your absentee ballot will be mailed to you, unless you indicate on the application that you would prefer to have someone pick it up for you. Once you have marked your ballot, return it to your local election office before the polls close on Election Day in the secrecy envelope provided.

You can track your absentee ballot on your state's website.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.=https:>

All registered voters may request to vote by mail. To request an absentee ballot, complete the Absentee Ballot Request Form and submit to the County Clerk in the county where you are registered to vote. All absentee ballots must be received by 7pm on Election Day in order to be counted.

If you are voting for the first time by mail, you must provide a copy of an acceptable form of ID either with your registration application or absentee ballot request form. Accepable forms of ID are:

• Current Nevada driver's license
• Current Nevada State ID Card
• Rent receipt with pre-printed address
• Bank statement or pre-printed check
• Credit card statement
• Car registration or proof of insurance
• Government document (tax bill, income info.)
• Current utility bill

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

Absentee ballot applications must be received by your county clerk on Thursday, November 2, 2012 for the Tuesday, November 6, 2012 General Election. The deadline was extended due to hurricane Sandy. You may request an absentee ballot in person from the county clerks office until 3pm on Tuesday, November 5, 2012.

Due to hurricane Sandy, all County Clerk Offices must remain open, at a minimum, from 8:30am - 4:30pm from Friday, November 2 - Monday, November 5 (including Saturday and Sunday).

In New Jersey, you can vote by absentee ballot for any election. You do not need a reason for an absentee ballot. You may apply for an absentee ballot by completing an absentee ballot application and mailing the application to your county clerk by mail up to 7 days prior to the election.

You may also apply in person to the county clerk until 3:00 p.m. the day before the election.

The County Clerk cannot accept faxed copies of an Absentee Ballot Application since an original signature is required.

If you applied for an absentee ballot and were required to show identification, you should have received a request for identification in your absentee ballot material. The identification requirement, however, does not apply to any absentee voter who receives a ballot because of temporary illness or a temporary or permanent disability or any absentee military or overseas civilian voter.

Absentee ballots must be received by the Board of Election by the close of the polls on election day.

If you have any questions, you can call 1-877-NJ-VOTER (1-877-658-6837).

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

Due to hurricane Sandy, absentee ballots must now be received by November 19, 2012 to be counted. All ballots must still be postmarked by Monday, November 5th, but the receipt deadline was extended due to hurricane Sandy.

You are eligible for an absentee ballot if:

• You are unavoidably absent from your county on Election Day
• Unable to appear at the polls due to illness
• disability a patient in a Veterans' Administration Hospital
• Detained in jail awaiting grand jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.

Applications for absentee ballots are available from your county board of elections and the LWV, and may also be available at hospitals, nursing homes, colleges, libraries, senior citizen centers, social service agencies, state government offices and from political parties. The applications can be downloaded from the NYS Board of Elections website or the LWVNYS website.You may also request an absentee ballot by sending a letter to your county board of elections. The letter must be received by your county board no earlier than 30 days and no later than seven days before the election. The letter must contain the following information:

• The address where you are registered
• An address where the ballot is to be sent
• The reason for the request
• The signature of the voter

An application form will be mailed with your ballot. The application form must be completed and returned with your ballot. If you cannot pick up your ballot, or will not be able to receive it through the mail, you have the right to designate someone to pick it up for you. Only the person designated on your application may pick up and deliver your ballot. If you are permanently ill or disabled, you have the right to receive an absentee ballot for each subsequent election without further application. You should file an application with your board of elections containing a statement which describes the particulars of your illness or disability. The board will review the facts stated, and if satisfied, will mark your registration record. You will then automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election until your registration is canceled.

To be counted, an absentee ballot must be postmarked by the day before Election Day and must reach the board of elections no more than seven days after the election. If the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot by mail has passed and you cannot appear at the polls on Election Day because of an accident or sudden illness, then you may send a representative with an authorized letter to receive an absentee ballot application and absentee ballot and return both to the board of elections by 9:00 pm on Election Day at your borough office. You can find your board of elections information at the New York State Board of Elections. If you have further questions, please call the state board of elections at 518-474-6220.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

Absentee voting is easy and available for all voters in North Dakota. Absentee voting related forms include the following:

• Absent Voter's Ballot Application
• Absent Voter's Ballot Application-Agent Authorization
• Absent Voter's Ballot Application-Federal Offices Only
• New Resident Ballot Application-President Only
• Absent Voter's Ballot Application-President Only-Former Resident
• Special Write-In Absentee Ballot Application
• Special Write-In Absentee Ballot

Applications for absentee ballots may be delivered to the appropriate county auditor or election official by mail, in person, or by fax. For more information, please consult with your voting assistance officer, the Secretary of State's office, or your county auditor's.

According to North Dakota law, absentee ballots are to be made available by the 40th day before the election. Absentee ballots must be returned and postmarked by the day before the election.

To apply for an absentee ballot you must apply for an absent voter's ballot on a form furnished by the proper officer of the county, city, or school district where you generally reside, or on any blank sheet of paper containing the following information:

• Your name
• Your most current or most recent ND residential address
• Your mailing address
• Your current home telephone number
• The election for which the ballot is being requested
• The date of the request
• An affirmation that you have resided in the precinct for at least 30 days
• Your signature

Some Special Circumstances to consider:

• The following form is to be used when the voter wants a friend or family member to deliver their application and ballot to and from the county auditor, the Absent Voter's Ballot Application-Agent Authorization(185kb fillable pdf).
• New residents of ND who have lived here less than 30 days, but more than 10 days before the election can use New Resident Ballot Application-President Only to vote.

In North Dakota, you are not required to provide a reason when requesting an application to vote absentee.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

Any registered voter in Oklahoma may vote by absentee ballot. It is not necessary to give a reason for voting absentee. Applications for absentee ballots must be made in writing. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot to be mailed to you is always 5:00 pm on Wednesday preceding the election. Absentee ballot application forms are available from all county election boards and from the state election board. You can also use your state's application. However, you are not required to use the form. You may write a letter to your county election board to apply for absentee ballots. The letter must contain the following information:

• Your name
• Your birth date
• The address at which you are registered to vote
• The election(s) for which you are requesting ballot(s)
• The address where ballot(s) should be mailed
• Your signature

You may apply for absentee ballots for one election, for several elections or for all elections in which you are eligible to vote during the calendar year in which the application is submitted. You may mail your absentee ballot application to the county election board, fax it, send it via telegram or deliver it personally to the county election board office. However, you may not deliver an application for another person. If your absentee ballot is mailed to you, you must return it to the county election board by mail.

An absentee ballot must be received by the county election board before 7:00 pm on Election Day to be counted.

If you become incapacitated after 5:00 pm on the Tuesday preceding an election, you may receive an absentee ballot through special emergency procedures. You must make a written request to the county election board. The request must be accompanied by a statement from a doctor stating you are incapacitated and will be unable to vote in person on Election Day. Your request and the doctor's statement must be taken to the county election board office by the person you choose. This person becomes your agent. The county election board can provide a form to be used for both your request and the doctor's statement. The agent will receive your ballot and will deliver it to you. After you mark the ballot, the agent must return it to the county election board office before 7:00 pm on Election Day.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

If you are unable to vote at your polling place on Election Day, you may be able to vote by absentee ballot. You are able to vote absentee if you are:

• A person who is or may be in the military service of the United States
• A spouse or dependent residing with or accompanying a person in the military service of the United States and who expects to be absent on Election Day
• A member of the Merchant Marine and you spouse and dependents residing with you expect to be absent on Election Day
• A member of a relisious or welfare group attached to and serving with the armed forces and you spouse and dependents living with or accompanying you expect to be absent on Election Day
• An individual who, because of the elector's duties, occupation or business expects to be absent on Election Day
• A qualified war veteran elector who is bedridden or hospitalized due to illness or physical disablity and will be absent on Election Day
• A person who, because of illness or physical disability, is unable to attend you polling place or to operate a voting machine and obtain assistance by distinct and audible statements
• A spouse or dependent accompanying a person employed by the Commonwealth or the federal government, in the event that the employee's duties, occupation or business on Election Day require you to be absent
• A county employee who expects that you Election Day duties relating to the conduct of the election will prevent the employee from voting
• A person who will not attend a polling place on Election Day because of the observance of a religious holiday

NEW:Beginning in November 2012, voters must provide a driver's license number, last 4 digits of Social Security number or a copy of an acceptable photo ID when applying for an absentee ballot. You may provide this information to the county over the phone, by email or mail. Identification will be verified by the county before the voter's ballot with be counted. You have 6 days following the election to provide the necessary ID. UOCAVA voters and voters affected by the Voting Accessibility for Elderly and Handicapped Act are exempt.

To apply for an absentee ballot, download and print the absentee ballot application and send it to your county election office.

You may also apply for an absentee ballot through a letter. This letter must be signed by the voter and must include the same information as the forms provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

The County Board of Elections must receive the applications no later than 5pm on the Tuesday before Election Day.

If you have an emergency and did not apply for an absentee ballot by the deadline you may download and apply for an Emergence Absentee Ballot. This application must be notarized before it is submitted.

You may vote by absentee ballot for any of the following reasons:

• You are on vacation or outside the county on Election Day
• You are a member of the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine, and. Your spouses and dependents who reside with you are also eligible
• You are, for reasons of employment, not able to vote on election day
• You are physically disabled
• You are 65 years of age or older
• You are serving as a juror in state or federal court on election day
• You are admitted to the hospital as an emergency patient on the day of election or within a four-day period before the election
• You are confined to a jail or pre-trial facility pending disposition of arrest or trail
• You are a certified poll watcher, poll manager and county election official working on election day

To request an absentee ballot by mail, request the application and either email, mail or fax your county voter registration office. You will then be mailed an application. Complete the application, sign and return the completed application to you county voter registration office by 5pm on the 4th day before the election. You may return the application in person or by mail, email or fax. You will then be mailed an absentee ballot.

To check the status of your absentee ballot, please use your state's tool.

Tennessee has two forms of absentee voting: absentee voting in person and absentee voting by mail. Under preexisting Tennessee law, first-time voters who register to vote by mail cannot vote by absentee ballot; they must vote in person. To vote by mail, you must fall under one of the following categories:

• You will be outside the county of registration during the early voting period and all day on Election Day
• You or your spouse are enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited college or university outside the county of registration
• Your licensed physician has filed a statement with the county election commission stating that, in the physician's judgment, you are medically unable to vote in person. The statement must be filed not less than five days before the election and signed under the penalty of perjury
• You reside in a licensed facility providing relatively permanent domiciliary care, other than a penal institution, outside your county of residence
• You will be unable to vote in person due to service as a juror for a federal or state court
• You are 65 or older
• You have a physical disability and an inaccessible polling place
• You are hospitalized, ill, or physically disabled and because of such condition cannot vote in person
• You are a caretaker of a person who is hospitalized, ill, or disabled
• You are a candidate for office in the election
• You serve as an election day official or as a member or employee of the election commission
• Your observance of a religious holiday prevents you from voting in person during the early voting period and on Election Day
• You possess a valid commercial driver's license and certify that you will be working outside the state or county of registration during the early voting period and all day on Election Day

You may request a by mail ballot by writing to your county elections office or fill out an absentee ballot request here. The request may also be mailed or faxed. Upon receipt of the request, the local election commission will mail an application for ballot to you. However, if you want to expedite the application process, you may place the following information in the request for ballot:

• Your name
• Your address
• Your Social Security number
• The address to mail the ballot outside the county (this applies only when the reason for voting by mail involves that you will be outside of the county during early voting and on election day)
• The election you wish to participate in
• The reason you wish to vote absentee
• Your signature

A request that contains this information will be treated and processed as an application for ballot, and a ballot will be mailed to you. Unless you are an individual who has registered to vote by mail and therefore are on the permanent absentee voting register, you must appear in person to vote in the first election after the registration becomes effective. If you are a by mail registrant who has already voted in person since the registration, then no additional information will be required to vote by mail.

You may request an application for by mail ballot no earlier than 90 days before the election and no later than seven days before the election. To be processed for the next election, the application must be received by the election commission no later than 5 days before the election. The county elections office must receive the ballot by mail no later than the close of polls on Election Day. Once the election office issues an absentee by mail ballot to you, you can only vote by mail. If you notify the elections office that you have spoiled your ballot or have not received the ballot, the elections office shall supply you with subsequent voting supplies. The county elections office will reject the old application and send a new application to you immediately by mail to be completed and returned again. The by mail ballot must be received by the county elections office through the postal mail, it can not be hand delivered.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

If you are registered to vote, you may vote by absentee ballot. A separate absentee ballot application must be filled out for each election. All completed forms should be mailed to your county clerk's office.

For regular absentee voting, the ballot application must be received no later than the Friday before the election. The ballot is only valid if it is clearly postmarked before (not on) Election Day, and received in the county clerk's office before 12:00 pm on Election Day.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

You are eligible for absentee voting if you:

• In the regular and orderly course of your business, profession, or occupation or while on personal business or vacation, will be absent from the county or city in which you are entitled to vote.
• Are a student attending a school or institution of learning, or a student's spouse, who will be absent on the day of election from the county or city in which you are entitled to vote.
• Are unable to go in person to the polls on the day of election because of a physical disability, physical illness, or pregnancy.
• Are confined while awaiting trial or for having been convicted of a misdemeanor, provided that the trial or release date is scheduled on or after the third day preceding the election. If you are awaiting trial and are a resident of the county or city where you are confined, you may be taken to the polls to vote on election day if your trial date is postponed and you did not have an opportunity to vote absentee.
• Are a member of an electoral board, registrar, an officer of election, or custodian of voting equipment.
• Are registered but unable to go in person to the polls on the day of the election because you are primarily and personally responsible for the care of an ill or disabled family member who is confined at home.
• Are a duly registered person who is unable to go in person to the polls on the day of the election because of an obligation occasioned by your religion.
• Will be at your place of work and commuting to and from your home to your place of work for 11 or more hours of the 13 that the polls are open (6:00 am to 7:00 pm).
• Any person who is (i) a member of a uniformed service of the United States, as defined in 42 USC 1973ff-6(7), on active duty, or (ii) a member of the merchant marine of the Unites States, or (iii) who temporarily resides outside of the United States, or (iv) the spouse or dependent residing with any person listed in (i), (ii), or (iii), and who will be absent on the day of the election from the county or city in which he is entitled to vote. See Absentee Voting Procedures for Overseas Personnel (Military & Non-Military) at www.sbe.virginia.gov.
• Any person serving as a designated representative of a political party, independent candidate or candidate in a political party.

You may request a mail ballot for presidential and vice-presidential electors only by writing across the top of your absentee application request ballot for presidential electors only. If you vote a presidential only ballot, you may not later decide to vote the rest of the ballot. The same procedures and deadlines apply as for other absentee applications and ballots.

• Any person serving as a designated representative of a political party, independent candidate or candidate in a political party

Note: If you are a new registrant who submitted your voter registration applications by mail, you must vote in person (either in-person absentee or at the polls on Election Day) unless you are a full time college student, absent active duty military member, residing overseas, physically handicapped, age 65 or over (however, an additional reason must also be given, as age itself does not qualify a voter for absentee voting), or voting a "presidential only" ballot. If you have a question about whether you qualify to vote absentee, or how to apply, you should contact your local elections office.

How to Vote Absentee

You can contact your local voter registration office to request an absentee ballot application. You can either return the completed application to your local voter registration office by mail or fax. To receive a ballot by mail, your absentee ballot application must be received in your local voter registration office by Tuesday before the general election. If you send it by fax the original must also be mailed and received by the registrar before returned ballot is requested on Election Day. Alternatively, you can download the Virginia absentee ballot application (pdf format) at your state's website. You must complete a separate absentee ballot application for each election in which you intend to vote absentee. The absentee ballot application must be received in your voter registrar's office by 5 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to Election Day.

You can check the status of your absentee ballot with the Absentee Ballot Status Look Up tool.

You may cast an absentee ballot if you will be absent from your county on Election Day. To download the absentee ballot application, use your state's resource. Your request for an absentee ballot must be received no later than the 6th day before the election. Unless you are voting absentee by mail because of illness or disability, the ballot must be mailed to an out-of-county address. You may apply as early as eighty-four days before the election, but the ballots are not ready for mailing to you until six weeks before the election.

Emergency Absentee Ballot: A ballot can be brought to you at the hospital or nursing facility if you have been admitted because of an emergency during the last week before the election. A family member may request the emergency absentee voting service by telephone OR the County Clerk will schedule a team of emergency absentee voting commissioners to go to the voter at the hospital and the team will return the application and the ballot to the County Clerk. Check with your County Clerk to determine what hospitals provide this service.

To download an emergency absentee ballot application, click here.

Early voting is available in Arizona. In-Person Early Voting begins 33 days before Election Day for the Primary and General Election, and ends at 5:00 pm on the Friday before Election Day. A voter may vote early in person at the County Recorder's office or on-site voting locations designated by the county recorder.

A voter may also vote early by mail. An elector may make a request by telephone, mail, or email to the County Recorder for an official early ballot beginning 93 days before an election. Early ballots are mailed to voters requesting an early mail-in ballot beginning 33 days before the Primary and General Elections. Early voting for the Presidential Preference Election begins 26 days before the election. The deadline for requesting an early ballot to be mailed is 5:00 p.m. on the second Friday before the election. If the request is oral (in person or by telephone), the requesting elector shall provide the date of birth and state or country of birth or other information that if compared to the voter registration information on file will confirm the identity of the elector. Requests in writing should include the voter's name and address as registered, birth date, election for which the ballot is requested, address where the ballot is to be mailed, and signature.The voter's signature on the early ballot affidavit is compared to the voter's signature on the voter's registration form.

Early ballots will be counted if returned to the County Recorder or other officer in charge of elections by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. County Recorders' offices will remain open until 7:00 p.m. on Election Day to accept early ballots. Early ballots may also be dropped off at any polling place in the voter's county of residence no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Emergency early voting is permitted if an unforeseen circumstance occurs that would prevent an elector from voting at the polling place. Voters who encounter an emergency occurring after 5:00 p.m. on the second Friday before the election should contact their County Recorder for the procedure for emergency early voting.

California voters can vote early by using the vote-by-mail system. Any registered voter may vote using a vote-by-mail ballot instead of going to the polls on Election Day.

All valid vote-by-mail ballots are counted in every election in California, regardless of the outcome or closeness of any race. For additional information on how and when ballots are verified and tabulated, please visit our description of how the official canvass of the vote is completed.

Once your application is processed by your county elections official, your ballot will be sent to you. After you have voted, insert your ballot in the envelope provided, making sure you complete all required information on the envelope. You may return your voted vote-by-mail ballot by 1) mailing it to your county elections official; 2) returning it in person to a polling place or the elections office in your county on Election Day; or 3) authorizing a relative or person living in the same household as you to return the ballot on your behalf. Regardless of how the ballot is returned, it MUST be received by the county elections office by the time polls close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Late-arriving vote-by-mail ballots will not be counted.

Early voting is not available.

Due to Hurricane Sandy, early voting hours have been extended to 9pm at each early voting location. Extra voting equipment is also available at each of the locations to accommodate the anticipated heavy turnout.

You may cast an early ballot at one of the following times and locations:

• Saturday, October 27 - Saturday, November 3 (Closed Sunday, October 28). 8:30am - 9:00pm.Old Council ChambersOne Judiciary Square441 4th Street, NW

Satellite Locations (one in each Ward):

• Columbia Heights Community Center. 1480 Griard Street NW
• Takoma Community Center. 300 Van Buren Street, NW
• Chevy Chase Community Center. 5501 Connecticut Avenue, NW
• Turkey Thicket Recreation Center. 1100 Michigan Avenue, NE
• King Greenleaf Recreation Center. 201 N Street, SW
• Dorthy Height/Benning Library. 3935 Benning Road, NE
• Southeast Tennis and Learning Center. 701 Mississippi Avenue, SE

 To find your early voting locations, visit your state resource.

Any voter registered in Georgia may vote absentee in person. This allows you to vote on a day and time that is convenient for you. Beginning the 4th Monday prior to Election, simply visit your county or municipality early voting site, fill out the application and present one of the permitted forms of photo ID. As Election Day approaches, your county may have multiple early voting sites and even extended hours. Voting times and locations for your precinct can be found here.

Please note that you cannot vote on the day immediately preceding the Tuesday election. Traditional polling places will be open on Election Day. However, if you choose to advance vote you cannot cast another ballot at your precinct on Election Day.

 For information on time and locations please contact your county clerk.

Voting before election day at an absentee polling place is available. Contact your county clerk for dates, times and location of the absentee polling place in your county. See Absentee Ballot section above.

Early voting takes place at your local board of elections locations.

In-person early voting can be done at your board of elections beginning 29 days before Election Day and no later than 12:00 pm on the day before Election Day.

For more information on times and locations please contact your county clerk.

You may vote in person at your county elections office starting the Tuesday before Election Day, or up to 20 days before the election, depending on the county. Some counties offer satelite voting sites during the 20-day advance voting period. To find such locations, contact your county election office. The deadline for in-person advance voting is noon on November 5, 2012 for the General Election.

For more information on locations, please use your state's resource.

You do not need a reason to vote early. All voters may vote early, just like they are voting on election day.

Voters who want to vote early for any election may do so in person at their parish Registrar of Voters office or at designated locations in the parish from 14 days to seven days before any scheduled election. For more information on dates and locations for early voting, please use your state's resource.

For Early Voting locations, please use your state's resource or contact your local board of elections.

Early voting starts the 2nd Saturday before election day and runs through Thursday before the election. Early voting centers will be open continuously from 10 am to 8 pm each day, except for the Sunday during this time period, when they will be open 12 pm to 6 pm.

Early Voting is not available.

Early voting does not exist in Mississippi. However, you may vote absentee ballot in person at your local circuit clerk's office March 3 - March 10, 2012 for the Primary (office hours vary, check with your local clerk's office).

Voting takes place at your local elections office. For more information about times and locations please contact your local election officials.

The fastest way to vote absentee is to go directly to your local elections office, and apply for a ballot and vote at the same time, at least 30 days before the election.

Early voting is available for all registered voters. Please contact your local county clerk's office for specific dates and times.

There is no in person early voting for New Jersey. To vote early please see Absentee Ballot information above.

In person absentee voting begins as soon as the ballots are available at least 30 days before an election and ends on Election Day. In person absentee voting is conducted during the above period, at the board of elections' borough offices. Operating hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm except on Election Day, when they are open until 9:00 pm.

Early voting is available and no excuse is required. Please check with local county election officials for specific dates and times.

For more information on times and locations contact your county clerk.

In-person absentee voting is available and no excuse is required. You may cast an absentee ballot in person at the county election board office from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on the Friday and Monday before all elections. For state and federal elections only, in-person absentee voting is also available from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday. In-person absentee voters must fill out and sign an application form when they arrive to vote.

Early voting is available through Pennsylvania's absentee ballot process.

You can vote early in person by visiting your county voter registration office and completing an application for absentee ballot. You may then vote absentee in person until 5pm on the day before the election.

Early voting begins on October 17th and ends on November 1st for the Tuesday, November 6, 2012 General Election. For more information on early voting, contact your local county election commission office.

Early voting is available and no excuse is required. The early voting period for generally begins 20 days before an election and ends 5 days prior to the Election Day. You should bring your voter registration card plus an acceptable photo ID when you vote early. However, in city election where there is not any opposition on the ballot, early voting begins 10 days before the election.

To find your early voting locations, please visit your state's website.

In person early voting is allowed and no excuse is required. The polls will be open for at least 4 hours each early voting day and will close at 5pm on the last early voting day.

In order to vote during the early voting period, you must show a valid voter ID. This is either a form of ID that has you name and photo or two forms of ID that bear your name and show evidence of your residence. To see the complete list of acceptable ID, please visit your state's website.

For more information on times and locations please contact your local registrar.

Due to Hurricane Sandy, early voting has been extended. Virginia voters eligible to vote absentee for the upcoming election will have an increased opportunity to cast their absentee ballot in-person at general registrar offices and satellite offices, if available. In-person absentee voting must be available for a minimum of eight hours on Saturday, November 3, 2012, the last day to vote absentee in-person. Contact your local registrar to find exact locations and hours. Voters must meet one of 17 eligibility requirements to vote absentee. The recent changes to the voter ID laws are applicable to those voting absentee in-person.

To qualify for absentee in-person voting you must be:

• Any person who, in the regular and orderly course of his business, profession, or occupation or while on personal business or vacation, will be absent from the county or city in which he is entitled to vote;

• Any person who is (i) a member of a uniformed service of the United States, as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1973ff-6(7), on active duty, or (ii) a member of the merchant marine of the United States, or (iii) who temporarily resides outside of the United States, or (iv) the spouse or dependent residing with any person listed in (i), (ii), or (iii), and who will be absent on the day of the election from the county or city in which he is entitled to vote. See Absentee Voting Procedures for Overseas Personnel (Military & Non-Military)

• Any student attending a school or institution of learning, or his spouse, who will be absent on the day of election from the county or city in which he is entitled to vote;

• Any person who is unable to go in person to the polls on the day of election because of a disability, illness or pregnancy ;

• Any person who is confined while awaiting trial or for having been convicted of a misdemeanor, provided that the trial or release date is scheduled on or after the third day preceding the election. Any person who is awaiting trial and is a resident of the county or city where he is confined shall, on his request, be taken to the polls to vote on election day if his trial date is postponed and he did not have an opportunity to vote absentee;

• Any person who is a member of an electoral board, registrar, officer of election, or custodian of voting equipment;

• Any person serving as a designated representative of a political party, independent candidate or candidate in a political party;

• Any duly registered person who is unable to go in person to the polls on the day of the election because he is primarily and personally responsible for the care of an ill or disabled family member who is confined at home; or

• Any duly registered person who is unable to go in person to the polls on the day of the election because of an obligation occasioned by his religion.

• Any person who, in the regular and orderly course of his business, profession, or occupation, will be at his place of work and commuting to and from his home to his place of work for eleven or more hours of the thirteen that the polls are open (6:00 AM to 7:00 PM).

• Certain first responders who meet code definitions for law-enforcement officers, firefighters, search and rescue personnel and emergency medical services personnel.

• Any registered and qualified voter may request a mail ballot for presidential and vice-presidential electors only by writing across the top of their absentee application "request ballot for presidential electors only." A voter who votes a "presidential only" ballot may not later decide to vote the rest of the ballot. The same procedures and deadlines apply as for other absentee applications and ballots. Please note: When completing your absentee ballot application, reason 7A should only be used by voters who have moved to another state (away from Virginia) less than 30 days before the presidential election. This reason code should not be selected by voters that do not intend to move to another state less than 30 days prior to the November 6, 2012 Presidential Election.

The electoral board will usually make ballots available for absentee voting 45 days prior to Election Day and ending 3 days before Election Day.

For more information on times and locations contact your local election official.

Early voting is available in the form of in person absentee voting.

You can request an absentee ballot in person at your municipal clerk's office up until 5:00 pm on the Friday before the election. The completed ballot must be received by the municipal clerk no later than the day of the election so that it can be delivered to the polling location by 8:00 pm.

Employors are required to grant three hours of paid leave to vote, unless polls are open three hours before or after work shift.

California law states that private and public employers must give employees time off to vote, unless the employee has two hours of nonworking time available to vote or employee fails to vote. Employees must give proper notice to their employer.

Time off to vote is subject to the employer. Connecticut law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

Time off to vote is subject to the employer. District of Columbia law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

Employers must grant employees two hours of paid leave to vote, unless polls are open 2 hours before or after regular working shift. This time may be paid depending on location.

Time off to vote is subject to the employer. Idaho law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

Time off to vote is subject to the employer. Indiana state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

Any registered voter may leave work for a period of up to two hours to vote. If the polls are open before or after the work shift, the voter may only take such time off that, when added to the amount of time before or after work that the polls are open, does not exceed two hours.

Time off to vote is subject to the employer. Louisiana state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

Employers must grant employees up to two hours of paid leave to vote, unless polls are open 2 hours before or after regular working shift, or if employee has sufficient time to vote on his/her own. Employees must provide proof that they cast their vote to receive compensation for time off.

Time off to vote is subject to the employer. Michigan law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

Time off to vote is subject to the employer. Mississippi law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

Time off to vote is subject to the employer. Montana state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

Employers must grant employees up to three hours paid leave to vote, unless polls are open three consecutive hours before or after regular working shift. Employees must request this time prior to Election Day, and the employer may specify when during the working day employees may take time off.

Time off to vote is subject to the employer. New Jersey state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

Employers must grant employees sufficient time to vote, unless polls are open 4 hours before or after regular working shift. Employers may designate whether the time is to be taken at the beginning or end of the shift. Employees must notify employers of the need for time off not more than 10 days and not less than 2 days before the election. Employers must post a conspicuous notice of employee rights at least ten days before Election Day.

The law encourages employers to provide time off to vote when an employee's regular work schedule conflicts with the times polls are open. This policy however is voluntary.

Employees who begin their work less than 3 hours after the polls open and finish less than 3 hours before the polls close are entitled to 2 hours leave to vote. You much give notice the day before the election and must provide proof of voting to not have your pay reduced. The employer can set the time the employee can leave to vote.

Time off to vote is subject to the employer. Rhode Island law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

Employees are entitled to paid leave on Election Day between the time the polls open and when they close, unless the person has two consecutive hours during the time the polls are open in which he or she can vote before or after work.

Employers must grant employees paid leave to vote on Election Day, unless polls are open two hours before or after regular working shift.

Time off to vote is subject to the employer. Vermont state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

West Virginia law states that private and public employers must give employees time off to vote, unless 3 hours nonworking time available to vote or employee fails to vote.