How to vote in 10 states with Oct. 13-15 registration deadlines

There are a variety of ways to vote. Below are all the details you’ll need to do so in 10 states with deadlines coming up Tuesday, Oct. 13, Wednesday, Oct. 14, and Thursday, Oct. 15.

Remember, the deadlines for turning in mail ballots don’t preclude you from turning in your ballot as soon as you receive it. And with the problems with U.S. mail, and the huge number of mail ballots expected this year, the earlier you turn it in, the better. (Legal references were provided by the Voting Rights Lab.)

Oct. 13 states

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

"Voters may return an absentee ballot by mail, in person at a voting place, or by delivery to the Board of Elections office.” - D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 3, § 720.12

• Deadline to register to vote is Oct. 13 online and by mail. Register here: https://www.dcboe.org/dcboe/media/PDFFiles/Voter-Registration-Form-FINAL_2.pdf You can also register in person through Election Day on Nov 3.

• D.C. is mailing a ballot to all registered voters. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3.

• Drop box locations can be found here: https://www.dcboe.org/Voters/Where-to-Vote/Mail-Ballot-Drop-Sites

• Early voting is Oct. 27 to Nov. 2. Details on locations are here: https://earlyvoting.dcboe.org/

• Who can handle a mail ballot? “A registered voter may apply for and return an emergency ballot through an authorized agent if the voter is unexpectedly unable to be present at the polls due to an illness or accident or the voter is serving on a sequestered jury on Election Day.” - NCSL

• Track your mail ballot here: https://www.dcboe.org/Voters/Absentee-Voting/Track-Absentee-Ballot

KANSAS

"The ballot may be mailed or delivered to the county elections officer. The voter may use a properly designated agent to return their ballot. Special provisions can be made for people confined to nursing homes and similar facilities to facilitate their receiving and casting advance ballots.” - Kan. Stat. § 25-1124(a), (d); Kan. Stat. § 25-1128(g); Kan. Stat. § 25-2812

• Deadline to register to vote is Oct. 13. Register here: https://www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/voterreg/default.aspx

• You can request an advance mail ballot (referred to in Kansas as an “advance ballot) by Oct. 27 here: https://www.kssos.org/forms/elections/AV1.pdf. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3.

• Contact local officials for drop box locations: https://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/county_election_officers.aspx

• Early voting is Oct. 27-30 and Nov. 2 in all counties and some counties may offer expanded dates from Oct. 14-26 and Oct. 31. County elections office locations here: https://sos.ks.gov/elections/county_election_officers_all.aspx

• ID requirements for in person voting are here: https://sos.ks.gov/elections/photo-id.html

• Who can handle a mail ballot? “Upon written designation by the voter, a person other than the voter may return an absentee ballot. Any such person designated by the voter shall sign a statement that such person has not exercised undue influence on the voting decisions of the voter and agrees to deliver the ballot as directed by the voter.” - NCSL

• Track your mail ballot here: https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview

LOUISIANA

"Voters can return their ballot by mail, a commercial courier, or hand delivery. If hand delivered by someone other than the voter, that person must sign a statement certifying that they have the authorization and consent of the voter. No person other than a voter's immediate family member may hand deliver more than one marked ballot to the registrar. Voters who feel they will not have time to vote by mail may request and return their ballot via fax, provided they sign a waiver of the right to a secret ballot. Hospitalized voters who request electronic delivery of a ballot or who have a family member pick up the ballot may return it by fax (upon signing a waiver) or any of the above methods. Voters with disabilities who request electronic delivery of a ballot may return it by fax (upon signing a waiver) or any of the above methods. The officer of the court in charge of the jury will deliver the ballots of sequestered jurors to the county registrar. Participants in the nursing home early voting program will deposit their voted absentee by mail ballots into a locked box in the possession of the election official who conducts early voting at the facility, unless the registrar opts to conduct nursing home early voting using the general early voting machines and equipment.” - La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1308(A)(1)(b)-(d), (B); La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1307.2(4); La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1308.1(B); La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1333(G)(5), (H)

• Deadline to register to vote is Oct. 5 in person and by mail and Oct. 13 online. Register here: https://www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting/Pages/OnlineVoterRegistration.aspx

• Louisiana is one of a few states that are still requiring an excuse to vote by mail/absentee, though being at-risk for COVID-19 is a valid excuse. Mail ballots must be received by Nov. 2. You can request a mail/absentee ballot by Oct. 30 here: https://www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting/Vote/VoteByMail/Pages/default.aspx.

• Louisiana does not have drop boxes.

• Early voting is Oct. 20-27 (excluding Sunday, Oct. 25). Locations are here: https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/EarlyVoting

• Registrar locations here: https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/registrar

• ID requirements for in person voting are here: https://www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting/Vote/VoteOnElectionDay/Pages/default.aspx

• Who can handle a mail ballot? “If delivered by other than the voter, a commercial courier, or the U.S. Postal Service, the registrar shall require that the person making such delivery sign a statement, prepared by the secretary of state, certifying that he has the authorization and consent of the voter to hand deliver the marked ballot … No person except the immediate family of the voter shall hand deliver more than one marked ballot to the registrar.” - NCSL

• Track your mail ballot here: https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/

MARYLAND

"Voters may return a completed ballot by mail, or by delivering it or having it delivered to an early voting site, a polling place, or the local board of elections office.” - Md. Code Regs. 33.11.03.06(E); Md. Code Regs. 33.11.03.08(B)

• Deadline to register to vote is Oct. 13. Register here: https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration/InstructionsStep1. You can also register in person through Election Day on Nov. 3.

• Maryland is sending mail/absentee applications to all voters. You can also request one by Oct. 20 here: https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration/InstructionsStep1. Mail ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3.

• Drop box locations can be found here: https://www.elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/PG20_Drop%20Box%20Locations.pdf

• Early voting is Oct. 26 to Nov. 2, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Locations are here: https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/2020%20Early%20Voting%20Centers.pdf

• Local boards of election are here: https://elections.maryland.gov/about/county_boards.html?fbclid=IwAR20d0HrvX_ek2IDGCcJdMNB8R5N2BRsG5RvKbmNTzn3tAcveUKuj5EnenU

• Who can handle a mail ballot? “A qualified applicant may designate a duly authorized agent to pick up and deliver an absentee ballot. An agent of the voter under this section: must be at least 18 years old; may not be a candidate on that ballot; shall be designated in a writing signed by the voter under penalty of perjury; and shall execute an affidavit under penalty of perjury that the ballot was delivered to the voter who submitted the application; marked and placed in an envelope by the voter, or with assistance as allowed by regulation, in the agent's presence; and returned to the local board by the agent.” - NCSL

• Track your mail ballot here: https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/VoterSearch

MINNESOTA

"The voter may return a completed ballot by mail. The voter may, either personally or through a third party, return the ballot to the office of the county auditor or other election authority. The election official may appoint election judges to travel to/from a health care facility or hospital to deliver/return absentee ballots.” - Minn. Stat. § 203B.08; Minn. Stat. § 203B.11

• Deadline to register to vote is Oct. 13 online. Register here: https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/VoterRegistration/VoterRegistrationMain.aspx You can also register in person through Election Day on Nov. 3.

• You can request a mail/absentee ballot here: https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/ABRegistration/ABRegistrationStep1.aspx. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3.

• Contact local officials for drop box locations: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/find-county-election-office/

• You can vote early at county election offices from Sept. 18 to Nov. 2. Some counties offer additional locations beside the county elections office. Search by county here: https://sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/find-county-election-office/

• Who can handle a mail ballot? “The voter may designate an agent to deliver in person the sealed absentee ballot return envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk or to deposit the return envelope in the mail … An agent may deliver or mail the return envelopes of not more than three voters in any election.” - NCSL “A state trial court issued a temporary injunction blocking the prohibition on returning more than three ballots for other voters in the August primary and November general elections.” - The Voting Rights Lab

• Track your mail ballot here: https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AbsenteeBallotStatus.aspx

NEW JERSEY

"The voter may return a completed ballot by mail. The voter may, either personally or through a third party, return the ballot to the county board of elections.” - N.J. Stat. § 19:63-18

• Deadline to register to vote is Oct. 13. Register here: https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/voter-registration.shtml

• New Jersey is sending a ballot to all voters. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3.

• Drop box locations can be found here: https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/vote-secure-drop-boxes.shtml

• You can vote early by turning in your mail/absentee ballot at a county elections office beginning 45 days before Election Day and ending at 3 p.m. the day before. County election office locations are here: https://nj.gov/state/elections/county-eo.shtml

• Who can handle a mail ballot? “An authorized messenger may return the ballot. The bearer certifies that he or she received a mail-in ballot directly from the voter, and no other person, and is authorized to deliver the ballot to the appropriate board of election or designee on behalf of the voter … No person shall serve as an authorized messenger for more than three qualified voters in an election. No person who is a candidate in the election for which the voter requests a mail-in ballot shall be permitted to serve as an authorized messenger or bearer.” - NCSL

• Track your mail ballot here: https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote-track-my-ballot.shtml

OREGON

"The voter may return a completed ballot by mail. The voter may, either personally or through a third party, return the ballot to the office of the county clerk, a place of deposit, a ballot-marking component, or a voting booth (if one provided).” - Or. Rev. Stat. § 253.070; Or. Rev. Stat. § 254.470(6)(b), (d)

• Deadline to register to vote is Oct. 13. Register here: https://sos.oregon.gov/voting/Pages/registration.aspx?lang=en or here: https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/SEL500.pdf

• You do not need to request an absentee/mail ballot unless you will not be at your mailing address during the election. Every registered voter receives a ballot in the mail two to three weeks before the election.

• You can request that absentee ballot here: https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/SEL111.pdf. Ballots must be received by Nov. 3.

• Drop box locations can be found here: https://sos.oregon.gov/voting/Pages/drop-box-locator.aspx

• County clerk locations are here: https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Pages/countyofficials.aspx

• Who can handle a mail ballot? “A person may return a ballot on behalf of another voter … A person may not attempt to collect voted ballots within any building in which any state or local government elections office designated for the deposit of ballots is located, or within 100 feet measured radially from any entrance to the building. A person may not establish a location to collect ballots voted by electors unless the person prominently displays at the location a sign stating: “NOT AN OFFICIAL BALLOT DROP SITE”; and the sign is printed in all capital letters in bold 50-point type.” - NCSL

• Track your mail ballot here: https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/vr/showVoterSearch.do

WEST VIRGINIA

"Voters may return ballots by mail or hand delivery.” - W. Va. Code § 3-3-5(g), (k)

• Deadline to register to vote is Oct. 13. Register here: https://ovr.sos.wv.gov/Register/Landing

• Request an absentee ballot by Oct. 28 here: https://sites.omniballot.us/54/absentee/app/home. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3.

• West Virginia does not have drop boxes.

• Early voting is October 21-24 and Oct. 26-31. County clerk locations are here: https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Pages/CountyClerkDirectory.aspx

• ID requirements for in person voting are here: https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Pages/BeReg.aspx

• Who can handle a mail ballot? “Not specified, though statute does address hand-delivering ballots … No person may hand-deliver more than two absentee ballots in any election and any person hand delivering an absentee ballot is required to certify that he or she has not examined or altered the ballot. Any person who makes a false certification violates the provisions of article nine of this chapter and is subject to those provisions.” - NCSL

Oct. 14 state

WISCONSIN

"Absentee ballots issued in person must be voted in person immediately on site. For ballots issued by mail, the statute states only that the ballot "shall be returned" to the clerk.” - Wis. Stat. § 6.87(3)(a), (6)

• Deadline to register to vote is Oct. 14 online or by mail or Oct. 30 at clerk offices. If you vote in person on Nov. 3 you can register then as well. Register here: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/RegisterOnline

• Wisconsin is sending mail ballot applications to all voters. You can also request one by Oct. 29 here: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/VoteAbsentee. Absentee ballots must be signed by a witness and must be received by Nov. 3.

• Contact local officials for drop box locations: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/MyMunicipalClerk

• Early voting is Oct. 20-Nov. 1 in some counties. Check with your municipal clerk. Municipal clerk locations are here: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/MyMunicipalClerk

• ID requirements for in person voting are here: https://bringit.wi.gov/do-i-have-right-photo-id

• Who can handle a mail ballot? “Not specified” - NCSL

• Track your mail ballot here: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-US/MyVoterInfo

Oct. 15 state

VIRGINIA

"A voter may return a completed absentee ballot by mail. A voter, or in limited circumstances, a third party designated by the voter, may return a completed ballot to the office of the general registrar. The voter may return a completed absentee ballot to the central absentee voter precinct or his/her polling place on Election Day.” - Va. Code § 24.2-709; Va. Code § 24.2-711; Va. Code § 24.2-712

• Deadline to register to vote is Oct. 15. Register here: https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/Registration/DmvPage1Lookup

• Request an absentee ballot by Oct. 23 here: https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/Lookup/absentee. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3.

• Contact local officials for drop box locations: https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/PublicContactLookup

• You can early vote at a county clerk office starting 45 days before the Nov. 3 election, until three days before. County clerk locations are here: https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/PublicContactLookup

• ID requirements for in person voting are here: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/photo-ids-required-to-vote/

• Who can handle a mail ballot? “A voter who becomes incapacitated just before Election Day may vote by emergency ballot and designate a representative to deliver the ballot and return the marked ballot.” - NCSL

• Track your mail ballot here: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal/

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect Virginia’s extended voter registration deadline.