Early voting begins in Louisiana, Washington: Who can vote early, how it works, which states allow it
A person votes during early voting at a polling station in US
With just 18 days until November 5, early voting has started in Louisiana, Hawaii, and Washington as of Friday, marking the official start of the 2024 election season.
What is early voting?
In the United States, voters typically have three ways to cast their ballots before Election Day, with mail-in voting being the most common for the upcoming presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Traditionally, voting involved heading to a polling station on Election Day to fill out a ballot in person. However, early in-person voting, absentee voting, and mail-in voting have become popular alternatives, giving voters the option to vote before the official Election Day, which is always the first Tuesday in November.
At least eight states automatically mail ballots to all registered voters, while 14 states still require voters to provide a reason to request an absentee ballot for mail-in voting. In three states—Alabama, Mississippi, and New Hampshire—there is no option for early in-person voting, though absentee voting may be available to those who qualify.
What is absentee voting?
Absentee voting is designed for people who are unable or choose not to vote in person at their designated polling station. This can be done through different methods such as voting at another location, mailing in a ballot, having someone else vote on their behalf (proxy voting), or voting online in some cases.
Many believe that expanding access to absentee ballots helps increase voter participation by making the process more convenient, a practice known as "convenience voting." However, some countries require specific conditions, such as illness or travel, for absentee voting to be allowed.
Who can vote absentee?
Absentee voting is available for individuals who are unable to vote in person. This includes military personnel and their families who are stationed away from their home voting district, as well as U.S. citizens living abroad who once lived in the United States. However, UScitizens born abroad who have never lived in the country may face restrictions on absentee voting. It's recommended to check the state's rules where the individual's parent or guardian last lived to determine eligibility.
What is the window for early in-person voting?
The window for early in-person voting varies from state to state, ranging from as short as three days to as long as 46 days before Election Day. In some places, early voting can start as early as 50 days before the election or as late as the Friday right before Election Day.
Most states in the US allow voters to cast their ballots in person before November 5. According to The Center for Election Innovation & Research, nearly 97% of Americans of voting age live in a state that offers early voting. The number of people voting early increased between 2016 and 2020, largely because states expanded early voting options.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 also caused a sharp rise in early voting as more people chose to avoid the crowds at polling stations on Election Day.
(With inputs from agencies)
