2018 General Election: Voter Registration Deadlines, Absentee Ballot Deadlines, and Early Voting Timeframes
NOTE: The deadlines and timeframes in the chart below are based on 2018 state election calendars. “EDR” indicates states that permit voter registration on election day. Early voting timeframes reflect dates where an individual may vote in person, without an excuse, prior to Election Day. This chart is intended for general informational purposes only. Specific deadlines and timeframes may vary depending on a variety of factors and circumstances. Contact your local election office with questions about voter registration and absentee or early voting.
Directly select your state for quick access:
Alabama
Registration Deadline : October 22nd
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 1st
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 5th
Early Voting Timeframe : N/A
Alaska
Registration Deadline : October 7th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 27th *
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 16th ( postmarked by November 6th ) **
Early Voting Timeframe : October 22nd - November 5th
* Deadline to receive application for electronic transmission ballot is November 5th
** Deadline to return electronic transmission ballot is November 6th
Arizona
Registration Deadline : October 9th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 26th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 10th - November 2nd
Arkansas
Registration Deadline : October 9th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 30th ( mail absentee ballot ) | November 5th ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 22nd - November 5th
California
Registration Deadline : October 22nd *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 30th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th ( in person ) | November 9th ( mail, postmarked by November 6th )
Early Voting Timeframe : Check with counties for early voting dates.
* Conditional registration available from October 23rd - November 6th.
Colorado
Registration Deadline : November 6th ( Election Day Registration Allowed ) *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : N/A ( all mail )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : N/A ( all mail )
Early Voting Timeframe : October 22nd - November 6th **
* All registered voters automatically receive a mail ballot. Deadline to register and receive a mail ballot is October 29th.
** Timeframe for in person voting at voter service and polling centers.
Connecticut
Registration Deadline : November 6th ( Election Day Registration Allowed ) *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 5th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : N/A
* Deadline to register by mail (postmark) and online is October 30th. In person registration available through Election Day.
DC
Registration Deadline : November 6th ( Election Day Registration Allowed ) *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 30th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 22nd - November 2nd
* Deadline to register by mail is October 16th. In person registration is available through Election Day.
Delaware
Registration Deadline : October 13th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 5th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : N/A
Florida
Registration Deadline : October 9th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 31st ( mail in absentee ) | November 5th ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 27th - November 3rd *
* Mandatory early voting period. Early voting may take place beginning October 22nd through November 4th at the discretion of Supervisors of Election.
Georgia
Registration Deadline : October 9th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 2nd
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 15th - November 2nd
Hawaii
Registration Deadline : October 9th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 30th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 23rd - November 3rd
Idaho
Registration Deadline : November 6th ( Election Day Registration Allowed ) *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 26th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 22nd - November 2nd **
* Deadline to register prior to EDR is 10/12.
** Counties may choose to begin early voting prior to 10/22.
Illinois
Registration Deadline : November 6th ( Election Day Registration Allowed ) *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 1st ( mail absentee ballot ) | November 5th ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th ( in person ) | November 20th ( mail postmarked by November 6th or certification prior to November 6th )
Early Voting Timeframe : September 27th - November 5th
* Deadline to register by mail is October 9th; deadline to register online is October 21st. In person registration is available through Election Day.
Indiana
Registration Deadline : October 9th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 29th ( mail absentee ballot ) | November 5th ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 10th - November 5th
Iowa
Registration Deadline : November 6th ( Election Day Registration Allowed ) *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 27th ( mail absentee ballot ) | November 5th ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 5th ( in person ) | November 13th ( mail postmarked by November 5th )
Early Voting Timeframe : October 8th - November 5th
* Deadline to register by mail (postmark) prior to EDR is October 27th. In person registration available through Election Day.
Kansas
Registration Deadline : October 16th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 30th ( mail absentee ballot ) | November 5th ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th ( in person ) | November 9th ( mail postmarked by November 6th )
Early Voting Timeframe : October 17th - November 5th
Kentucky
Registration Deadline : October 9th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 30th ( mail absentee ballot ) | November 5th ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : N/A
Louisana
Registration Deadline : October 16th *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 2nd
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 5th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 23rd - October 30th
* Deadline to register online. Deadline to register by mail or in person is October 9th.
Maine
Registration Deadline : November 6th ( Election Day Registration Allowed ) *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 1st
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 7th - November 1st
* Deadline to register by mail is October 16th. In person registration is available through Election Day.
Maryland
Registration Deadline : October 16th *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 30th ( mail or fax absentee ballot ) | November 2nd ( electronic absentee ballot ) | November 6th ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th ( in person ) | November 16th ( mail postmarked by November 6th )
Early Voting Timeframe : October 25th - November 1st **
* Extended registration deadline for mail applications postmarked by deadline is November 6th.
** Designated early voting period. In person (no excuse) absentee voting available when ballots are available through Election Day.
Massachusetts
Registration Deadline : October 17th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 5th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 22nd - November 2nd
Michigan
Registration Deadline : October 9th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 3rd ( mail absentee ballot ) | November 5th ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : N/A
Minnesota
Registration Deadline : November 6th ( Election Day Registration Allowed ) *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 5th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : September 21st - November 5th
* Advance registration deadline is October 16th.
Mississippi
Registration Deadline : October 9th *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 3rd
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 5th
Early Voting Timeframe : N/A
* Mail registration applications must be postmarked by October 9th. In person registration deadline is October 8th.
Missouri
Registration Deadline : October 10th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 31st ( mail absentee ballot ) | November 5th ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : N/A
Montana
Registration Deadline : November 6th ( Election Day Registration Allowed ) *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 5th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 9th - November 5th
* Deadline to register by mail (postmark) is October 9th. In person registration available through Election Day.
Nebraska
Registration Deadline : October 26th *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 26th ( mail absentee ballot ) | November 5th ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 9th - November 5th
* Deadline to register by mail (postmark) or online is October 19th.
Nevada
Registration Deadline : October 18th *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 30th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 20th - November 2nd
* Deadline to register online. Deadline to register by mail (postmark) is October 9th. Deadline to register in person is October 16th.
New Hampshire
Registration Deadline : November 6th ( Election Day Registration Allowed ) *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 5th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : N/A
* Deadline to register prior to Election Day Registration is the day that the Supervisors of the Checklist set their meeting.
New Jersey
Registration Deadline : October 16th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 30th ( mail absentee ballot ) | November 5th ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : September 22nd - November 5th
New Mexico
Registration Deadline : October 9th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 2nd
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 20th - November 3rd *
* Designated early voting period. No excuse (in person) absentee voting is available from October 9th – November 2nd.
New York
Registration Deadline : October 12th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 30th ( mail absentee ballot ) | November 5th ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th ( in person ) | November 13th ( mail postmarked by November 5th )
Early Voting Timeframe : N/A
North Carolina
Registration Deadline : October 12th (extended to Oct 15 in some counties)
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 30th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th ( in person ) | November 9th ( mail postmarked by November 6th )
Early Voting Timeframe : October 17th - November 3rd
North Dakota
Registration Deadline : N/A
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 7th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 5th ( in person ) | November 13th ( mail postmarked by November 5th )
Early Voting Timeframe : September 27th - November 5th
Ohio
Registration Deadline : October 9th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 3rd ( mail absentee ballot ) | November 5th ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th ( in person ) | November 16th ( mail postmarked by November 5th )
Early Voting Timeframe : October 10th - November 5th
Oklahoma
Registration Deadline : October 12th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 31st
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : November 1st - November 3rd
Oregon
Registration Deadline : October 16th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : N/A ( all mail )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : N/A ( all mail )
Early Voting Timeframe : N/A ( all mail )
Pennsylvania
Registration Deadline : October 9th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 30th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 2nd
Early Voting Timeframe : N/A
Rhode Island
Registration Deadline : October 7th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 16th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : N/A
South Carolina
Registration Deadline : October 8th *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 2nd ( mail absentee ballot ) | November 5th ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : N/A
* Deadline to register by mail (postmark). Deadline to register online or by fax or email is October 7th. Deadline to register in person is October 5th.
South Dakota
Registration Deadline : October 22nd
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 5th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : September 21st - November 5th
Tennessee
Registration Deadline : October 9th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 30th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 17th - November 1st
Texas
Registration Deadline : October 11th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 28th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : October 24th - November 2nd
Utah
Registration Deadline : November 6th ( Election Day Registration Allowed ) *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 1st
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th ( in person ) | November 5th ( mail absentee ballot )
Early Voting Timeframe : October 23rd - November 2nd
* Deadline to register online or in person is October 30th. Deadline to register by mail (postmark) is October 9th. Voters may also register during early voting period.
Vermont
Registration Deadline : November 2nd
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 5th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : September 23rd - November 5th
Virginia
Registration Deadline : October 15th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 30th ( mail absentee ballot ) | November 3rd ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : N/A
Washington
Registration Deadline : October 29th *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : N/A ( all mail )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : N/A ( all mail )
Early Voting Timeframe : October 19th - November 5th **
* Deadline for in person registration. Deadline for mail or online (new) registrations is October 8th
** Timeframe for in person voting at voting centers.
West Virginia
Registration Deadline : October 16th
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : October 31st
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 5th ( in person ) | November 7th ( mail without postmark ) | November 13th ( mail postmarked by November 6th )
Early Voting Timeframe : October 24th - November 3rd
Wisconsin
Registration Deadline : November 6th ( Election Day Registration Allowed ) *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 1st ( mail absentee ballot ) | November 4th ( in person )
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : Varies By Municipality **
* Deadline to register by mail (postmark) or online is October 17th. Deadline to register in person prior to Election Day Registration is November 2nd.
** Dates set by municipality. In person (no excuse) absentee voting may take place when ballots become available through November 4th.
Wyoming
Registration Deadline : November 6th ( Election Day Registration Allowed ) *
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline : November 5th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline : November 6th
Early Voting Timeframe : September 21st - November 5th
* Deadline to register prior to Election Day Registration is October 22nd.
