When does early voting start in swing states?

Procedures designed to increase voter turnout and improve accessibility by boosting the number of ways people can cast a ballot are part of what is known as "convenience voting." These practices became more widespread over the course of the 21st century, as policymakers began to seriously consider the difficulties some people have with voting in-person on Election Day — particularly low-wage workers, the elderly and those who lack access to reliable transit. 

The best-known and most widely available form of convenience voting is early voting, which is where individuals can cast a ballot in-person, by hand-delivery or by mail in the days and weeks leading up to Election Day. Every state's procedures are different, though, so voters need to check with their state and local authorities about when, where and how to cast an early vote. If you are in a battleground state, follow these guidelines. 

Arizona 

Mail balloting was widespread and well-established in Arizona even before the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated interest in it, and the state still sees a disproportionate share of its electorate choose the voting method. In-person early voting and ballot drop-off begins 27 days before Election Day in Arizona, which falls on Oct. 9, 2024. In addition, voters choosing to vote by mail can begin receiving their ballots on Oct. 9.

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Georgia

Early in-person voting and ballot dropoff begins on Tuesday, Oct. 15 in Georgia. Voters can choose any available polling place in their county to vote in person. Georgia also mails absentee ballots beginning on Oct. 7. Voters can get one for any reason, but must request it from the Georgia secretary of state's office. Voters must ensure that those ballots are received by 7 pm on Election Day.

Michigan

Michigan's early voting begins relatively late compared to other swing states, on Saturday, Oct. 26. Voters can also ask for an absentee ballot for any reason up to 40 days prior to Election Day, and the state started mailing them out on Thursday, Sept. 26. Most absentee ballots need to be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day, unless voters are overseas or in the military, in which case they need to be postmarked by Nov. 5.

Nevada

All registered Nevada voters receive a mail ballot unless they opt out of the system. Mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within four days of the election. In-person early voting begins 17 days before the Nov. 5 general election, on Oct. 19, and ends four days prior to Election Day, on Nov. 1. As in many other states, individuals can choose from a list of authorized polling places for in-person early voting. 

North Carolina

North Carolina was scheduled to be the first state to begin sending out mail ballots on Sept. 11, but the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled that independent Robert F. Kennedy's name be struck from the ballot, forcing officials to reprint the ballots at the last minute. The new ballots were sent out on Sept. 21. Absentee mail ballots can be requested for any reason and must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. In-person early voting begins at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17 and concludes at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2. Voters can choose between a list of early voting locations in their county. 

Pennsylvania 

The Keystone State has the most complicated early voting practices of all the swing states. There is no traditional in-person early voting, only what the state calls "in-person absentee balloting" in certain counties. That process can begin 50 days prior to the election — which would have been Sept. 16 this year — but has been held up by various court cases about the state's mail balloting laws. That means voters who wish to vote early will need to either apply for an absentee ballot online or download and mail an application to their county board of elections. Applications must be received by Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. Pennsylvanians are encouraged to contact their county board of elections to see if and when these options are available. In-person absentee balloting has already begun in some Pennsylvania counties and will conclude on Oct. 29.

Wisconsin

Just as in Pennsylvania, there is significant variation by municipality and county in terms of when early voting starts in Wisconsin. Early in-person absentee balloting begins on Oct. 22, and ends on Nov. 3, but the exact dates and times are set by the Badger State's cities, towns and villages. You can also apply for an absentee ballot by mail; ballots must be returned no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. Absentee mail ballots have already begun to be sent out and received by the state.