How To Vote In The 2020 Election
If you haven’t figured out how you’re going to cast your vote yet, FiveThirtyEight has a state-by-state guide to voting in the 2020 election. From registration deadlines to how to request a ballot if you’re voting absentee to when early voting starts, our guide includes all the information you need to make a plan in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Many states’ registration deadlines to vote have already passed, but others are coming up soon, so be sure to check those deadlines ASAP. And for those of you who have already registered and received your ballot, the guide contains helpful information on how to return and track your ballot. (Remember to factor in the time it takes to mail your ballot — if you wait until your state’s deadline to mail it, you could run the risk of your ballot arriving late.) You can also see which states have changed laws and procedures in response to the pandemic. Some, like New Jersey and Maryland, have decided to automatically mail absentee ballots or ballot applications to all voters; others, like New York and Kentucky, have loosened requirements so any voter can request an absentee ballot; and some, including Texas and Indiana, require voters have an excuse to vote absentee (and the pandemic doesn’t count).
Finally, we’re also tracking developments in some states whose laws are facing legal challenges, so keep an eye out for updates to the “what we’re watching” section (though any major rulings will find their way onto this live blog, too). We’re keeping the guide up to date with the latest changes, but if you see something you think is wrong or out of date, shoot us an email: nathaniel.rakich[at]fivethirtyeight.com