What are key dates for 2024 Election Day and early voting?
With the Labor Day weekend just days away, it's time for one last beach getaway, back-to-school preparations, and the presidential election entering a critical phase with only ten weeks until Nov. 5.
But for some, election season starts early, including in-person voting on Sept. 20 in Minnesota and Virginia. For military and overseas voters, the first batch of presidential ballots must be mailed at least 45 days before an election, and this year, it's Sept. 21.
States with the earliest, early vote periods
According to data compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), these are some states with the earliest option to vote early in person. Some states describe this differently, like "early voting" or "in-person absentee," but NCSL counts it as long as it is available to all voters.
California - Oct. 7
Illinois - Sept. 26
Minnesota - Sept. 20
Nebraska - Oct. 7
Pennsylvania - Sept. 16 (may not apply to all counties)
Vermont - Ballots available at least 45 days before the election
Virginia - Sept. 20
Wyoming - Oct. 8
States without early voting
These states do not offer early voting, but may provide other absentee options ahead of Election Day, according to NCSL:
Alabama
Mississippi
New Hampshire
Early voting days around the country
To navigate, click on a state to see its dates or simply scroll through the list. Data has been compiled by NCSL and Ballopedia.org.
Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming
Alabama
No early voting
Alaska
Early voting starts Oct. 21
Arizona
Early voting starts Oct. 9
Arkansas
Early voting starts Oct. 21
California
Early voting starts Oct. 7
Colorado
Early voting starts Oct. 21
Connecticut
Early voting starts Oct. 21
Delaware
Early voting starts Oct. 25
Florida
Early voting starts Oct. 26
Georgia
Early voting starts Oct. 15
Hawaii
Early voting starts Oct. 22
Idaho
Early voting starts Oct. 21
Illinois
Early voting starts Sept. 26
Indiana
Early voting starts Oct. 8
Iowa
Early voting starts Oct. 16
Kansas
Early voting starts Oct. 16
Kentucky
Early voting starts Oct. 31
Louisiana
Early voting starts Oct. 18
Maine
Varies
Maryland
Early voting starts Oct. 24
Massachusetts
Early voting starts Oct. 19
Michigan
Early voting starts Oct. 26
Minnesota
Early voting starts Sept. 20
Mississippi
No early voting
Missouri
Early voting starts Oct. 22
Montana
Early voting starts Oct. 7
Nebraska
Early voting starts Oct. 7
Nevada
Early voting starts Oct. 19
New Hampshire
No early voting
New Jersey
Early voting starts Oct. 26
New Mexico
Early voting starts Oct. 8
New York
Early voting starts Oct. 26
North Carolina
Early voting starts Oct. 17
North Dakota
Varies
Ohio
Early voting starts Oct. 8
Oklahoma
Early voting starts Oct. 30
Oregon
Varies
Pennsylvania
Sept. 16
Rhode Island
Early voting starts Oct. 16
South Carolina
Early voting starts Oct. 21
South Dakota
Early voting starts Sept. 20
Tennessee
Early voting starts Oct. 16
Texas
Early voting starts Oct. 21
Utah
Early voting starts Oct. 22
Vermont
Ballots are available 45 days before the election
Virginia
Early voting starts Sept. 20
Washington
Early voting starts Oct. 18
West Virginia
Early voting starts Oct. 23
Wisconsin
Early voting starts Oct. 22
Wyoming
Early voting starts Oct. 8
Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, Kinsey Crowley, Maya Homan
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: When does early voting start in my state?
