2020 election mail in ballots
The 2020 United States presidential election was the 59th quadrennial presidential election, held on November 3, 2020. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many states expanded their use of mail-in ballots, also known as absentee ballots, to reduce the risk of in-person voting. Here are some key facts about mail-in ballots in the 2020 election:
States that allowed mail-in ballots:
- Arizona: All registered voters were sent an application to request an absentee ballot.
- California: All registered voters were automatically sent a mail-in ballot application.
- Colorado: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- Connecticut: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- Delaware: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- Florida: Voters could request an absentee ballot online or by mail.
- Hawaii: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- Idaho: Voters could request an absentee ballot online or by mail.
- Illinois: Voters could request an absentee ballot online or by mail.
- Indiana: Voters could request an absentee ballot online or by mail.
- Iowa: Voters could request an absentee ballot online or by mail.
- Maine: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- Maryland: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- Massachusetts: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- Michigan: Voters could request an absentee ballot online or by mail.
- Minnesota: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- Nevada: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- New Hampshire: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- New Jersey: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- New Mexico: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- New York: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- North Carolina: Voters could request an absentee ballot online or by mail.
- Ohio: Voters could request an absentee ballot online or by mail.
- Oregon: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot.
- Pennsylvania: Voters could request an absentee ballot online or by mail.
- Rhode Island: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- Utah: Voters could request an absentee ballot online or by mail.
- Vermont: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- Virginia: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- Washington: All registered voters were sent a mail-in ballot application.
- West Virginia: Voters could request an absentee ballot online or by mail.
- Wisconsin: Voters could request an absentee ballot online or by mail.
Mail-in ballot deadlines:
- Arizona: October 23, 2020
- California: November 3, 2020 (in-person) or November 6, 2020 (by mail)
- Colorado: November 3, 2020
- Connecticut: November 3, 2020
- Delaware: November 3, 2020
- Florida: November 3, 2020
- Hawaii: November 3, 2020
- Idaho: November 3, 2020
- Illinois: November 3, 2020
- Indiana: November 3, 2020
- Iowa: November 3, 2020
- Maine: November 3, 2020
- Maryland: November 3, 2020
- Massachusetts: November 3, 2020
- Michigan: November 3, 2020
- Minnesota: November 3, 2020
- Nevada: November 3, 2020
- New Hampshire: November 3, 2020
- New Jersey: November 3, 2020
- New Mexico: November 3, 2020
- New York: November 3, 2020
- North Carolina: November 3, 2020
- Ohio: November 3, 2020
- Oregon: November 3, 2020
- Pennsylvania: November 3, 2020
- Rhode Island: November 3, 2020
- Utah: November 3, 2020
- Vermont: November 3, 2020
- Virginia: November 3, 2020
- Washington: November 3, 2020
- West Virginia: November 3, 2020
- Wisconsin: November 3, 2020
Mail-in ballot return methods:
- Mail: Most states allowed voters to return their mail-in ballots by mail.
- Drop-off: Some states allowed voters to drop off their mail-in ballots at designated locations, such as county election offices or post offices.
- In-person: Some states allowed voters to return their mail-in ballots in person at designated locations, such as county election offices or polling stations.
Mail-in ballot issues:
- Delays: Some voters experienced delays in receiving their mail-in ballots or in returning them to election officials.
- Rejection: Some mail-in ballots were rejected due to errors or incomplete information.
- Fraud concerns: There were concerns about the potential for fraud or tampering with mail-in ballots.
Overall, the 2020 election saw a significant increase in the use of mail-in ballots, with many states expanding their absentee voting options to reduce the risk of in-person voting during the COVID-19 pandemic.