In case it needs to be said: COVID-19 is still very much a threat despite the two years that have passed since it sparked a pandemic. That’s why, more than ever, it’s important to know how to cast your 2022 ballot in ways *other* than going to a poll site. Enter: the mail, lol.
Although mailing in your ballot for the 2022 midterms hardly feels as instantaneous as our daily emails, texts, and online activities, we promise the process really is much more straightforward than you’d think. So without further ado, here’s every single thing you need to know about voting absentee this election.
1. Read up on the requirements.
All states offer mail-in voting, but you’ve gotta make sure you meet the qualifications first. That is, if your state requires them.
- Fun fact: 35 states and Washington, D.C. offer “no excuse” absentee/mail voting: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado*, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii*, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon*, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island**, South Dakota, Utah*, Vermont, Virginia, Washington*, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
*These states are happy to send mail-in ballots to all eligible voters, so you actually don’t even need a formal reason to request one—you can just ask!
**Rhode Island lists several excuses to vote absentee, including one that states “no specific reason necessary.” Because any Rhode Island resident can request an absentee/mail ballot, NCSL has categorized it as “no excuse required.”
- If your state doesn’t offer “no excuse” voting, here are some of the qualifications to request a ballot (you must meet at least one): 1. Being unable to get to your polling place due to illness, injury, or disability. 2. Being on business travel or vacation outside of your county or city of residence on Election Day. 3. Being a student at an out-of-state college or university.
- Oh, and you can even qualify for permanent absentee ballot status. Check to see your specific state’s regulations here.
2. Request your ballot.
Most states need you to go ahead and request your absentee mail-in ballot. So if you need to ask for one, your best (and easiest!) bet is to do it entirely online if your state offers the option on its election site. (If online is not an option for whatever reason, go to Vote.org, which will generate the request form you need to fill out. You’ll then have to print and mail it.)
- No printer? No problem. You may not actually end up needing one! Some states allow you to email your application. However, if that’s not possible, you can use a site like Mailform, which will print and mail the documents for you. *a moment of silence for how far technology has gotten us* Or you could simply snag a hard copy of a ballot request form in person at your local election office. The! Options! Are! Plenty!
- Wait, I missed the deadline to request a ballot! First, see if you can still snag one in person at your local election office, because that deadline is typically later. If not, ask them if there’s anything you can do and you might be in luck. In general, though, you should def brush up on the key dates to note for this upcoming election on November 8 to make sure you’re not missing out on anything important.
3. Now that you’ve got your ballot, make sure you read *all* the instructions….
Mail-in ballot rules vary based on the state you live in, so def make sure to read the fine print. Some states call for a notary to verify it’s actually you signing your ballot, while others require you to submit a photocopy of your ID.
- Wait, a notary? Don’t worry, this is essentially just a witness. But don’t panic! Take a sec to read your ballot’s requirements because in some states, someone as close as your roommate will suffice. If you don’t need a legit legal notary (which you can typically find at a bank), you can even search the handy-dandy internet for a “mobile notary” who takes house calls.
- Wait, a photocopy of my ID? You can use Mailform for this too by snapping a pic of your ID and uploading it. Basically, it’ll get it to you overnight, and ta-da! There’s also the option of going to a Staples, which offers same-day document printing, or any other local office supply store.
4. Fill it out!
You’ve done all your research and you’re confident in your choice, so go forth, dear reader! It’s time for you to ~officially~ cast your vote, using your black ballpoint pen (that’s what you need to fill out the ballot!).
- Lol, wait, what if I made a mistake? Regardless of your “whoops” moment (selected the wrong candidate, marked the wrong date, etc.), the *best* protocol is to immediately contact your local election office so that they can help you get a new ballot. And they’ll instruct you on how to rectify the mistake if it’s actually no biggie and it can be salvaged. The same rules apply if you lose your mail-in ballot. P.S. Def make sure that your signature matches what’s on file from when you registered. And if it doesn’t and you’ve already sent it back, call up that handy-dandy election office and inquire about what to do. (FYI, 20 states will allow you to “cure,” aka fix, your signature, so it could be a nonissue!)
5. *takes deep breath* Now mail it back.
Once you’ve dotted your i’s and crossed your t’s, it’s time to finally mail in your absentee ballot. Oh, and if you live with or know someone who’s also voting by mail, def don’t share envelopes! Having your ballot in the same envelope as someone else’s = both votes being disqualified. Other than that, here are things to keep in mind if you:
- Didn’t sign the envelope? Luckily, some states offer a ballot cure affidavit for missing signatures, but you’re going to want to call your local county election office, as that protocol varies by location.
- Are anxious about your ballot getting lost? That’s okay—you’re not alone! Many states offer a tracking service so that registered voters can track their ballot. It’s as simple as heading over to Vote.org and selecting your state to be pointed to the best resource for you. Also important to note: You can sign up for any and all election reminders pertinent to you on the site.
- Change your mind about a candidate? Unfortunately, once you’ve submitted your ballot by mail, you are not allowed to change candidates. However, if you have not mailed in your ballot yet and will be around in the state you’re registered in during Election Day, you’re totally allowed to go ahead and hit the polls as long as you bring your printed absentee ballot with you to make it *crystal* clear that you’re not attempting to vote twice.
Happy voting!
Gretty Garcia is the associate news editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers all things news, entertainment, and pop culture. Before joining Cosmo, Gretty was a social strategist for Mrs. Dow Jones and a features and special projects editor at Editorialist. She holds an MS from the Columbia Journalism School and studied art history at Harvard College.
