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Can I vote by mail where I live?
Election Day is Tue, Nov 3, 3 days away.
Not sure if you should vote in person or by mail? Three questions.
38 of 53 official pages checked daily — how we know this is current
Latest on mail-in voting
Today
- Rob Richie: “Gaming the ballot is real. The Alaska scandal is greatly overblown”AlaskaElection Law Blog
- Early Voting and Absentee Ballot Totals as of October 30EIN Presswire
- US campaign enters final weekend as Alaska, California ballot fights heat upAlaskaReuters
- Pope Leo XIV becomes the first sitting pontiff reported to vote in a U.S. electionLatin Times
- Justice Department seeks to isolate Alaska ballots amid criminal probe over Senate candidateAlaskaNPR
- History in the mail: Pope Leo XIV becomes first pontiff to vote in a U.S. ElectionNPR
- Fewer N.C. voters are choosing to vote by mail, but early voting turnout surgesThe Daily Tar Heel
- Justice Department seeks to isolate Alaska ballots as criminal probe underway over Senate candidateAlaskaAP News
- Important Alabama absentee ballot deadlinesAlabamaFox 10 News
- Appeals court rejects Justice Department request for California to set aside disputed ballotsCaliforniaAP News
What's happening federally
- Whether you can vote by mail is still set by your state. The federal fight is about how ballots move through the mail.
- Request early, return early. If your state has drop boxes or in-person return, use them and skip the Postal Service entirely.
- Track your ballot on your state's tracker so you know it arrived.
- Thu, Oct 15PendingGovernment drops its earlier appeals; the main appeal continues
At the government's request, the First Circuit dismissed four earlier appeals (Nos. 26-1987, 26-1988, 26-1989 and 26-1991). Its appeal of the September 4 injunction (No. 26-2029 and three consolidated cases) is still open: its brief was due November 2, and on October 19 it asked for more time. The injunction remains in effect, and the rule cannot apply to the November 3 election. First Circuit judgment, Oct. 15, 2026
- Mon, Sep 14BlockedSupreme Court refuses to let the USPS rule take effect
The Court denied the administration's request, saying the government is "unlikely to succeed on the merits." The rule cannot apply to the November 3 election. Two justices dissented. The appeal continues in the First Circuit, and the block covers elections through November 3 only. Supreme Court order, No. 26A305
- Fri, Sep 4BlockedFederal court blocks the USPS mail-ballot rule for November
A federal judge in Massachusetts blocked the rule's mandatory envelope, registration and mailing conditions for elections on or before November 3, 2026. The First Circuit declined to pause that order. Supreme Court docket, No. 26A305
- Sep 2026BackgroundMulti-state challenge and a temporary pause
Twenty-four states filed a new suit against the USPS rule after the earlier injunction fell. A separate temporary pause has been in and out of effect since. Several states began mailing ballots without following the new envelope and list rules. Votebeat
- Wed, Aug 26BackgroundEarlier injunction lifted; USPS said the rule would apply Nov. 3
A district court dissolved the remaining block. The Postal Service announced the restrictions would be enforced for the general election. U.S. News
- Mon, Aug 24BackgroundSupreme Court lets the executive order proceed
In a separate case about the executive order itself, the Court let the administration take internal steps (including the Postal Service rulemaking) while litigation continues. It did not rule on whether the order is lawful, and it did not decide the rule that followed. SCOTUSblog
- Mar 2026BackgroundExecutive order signed
Directed USPS to deliver mail ballots only to voters on state-submitted lists, in barcoded envelopes reviewed by the federal government. States and voting groups sued within days. Votebeat
Latest court filings
- California et al. v. U.S. Postal Service: Extension of Time doc
- California et al. v. U.S. Postal Service: Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer doc
- California et al. v. U.S. Postal Service: Extension of Time to File Answer doc
- League of Women Voters of Mass. v. Trump: MOTION to extend time to file brief and appendix filed by Appellants Frank J. Bisignano, Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service, DHS, Joseph B. … doc
Changes on official pages
- Kentucky election office
- District of Columbia election office VOTER GUIDE ( Available in Various Languages )
- Missouri election office Elections & Voting Go Vote Missouri Phone: (573) 751-2301 Toll Free: (800) 669-8683 E-mail: [email protected]
- Wisconsin election office Media Availability November 3, 2026 & Reminders for Voters
- Michigan election office Voters should use their signature as shown on their driver’s license, state ID, or voter registration application.
Things that make mailing a ballot easier
- USPS Forever stamps, booklet of 20about $15Most states don't require postage, but a book of stamps means you're never stuck.View on Amazon
- Blue or black ink pensabout $8Scanners read dark ink. Skip gel pens that smear.View on Amazon
- 10×13 document envelopesabout $10For mailing a ballot application or a copy of your ID where required.View on Amazon
- Return address labelsSeveral states require your return address on the envelope. Printed beats smudged handwriting.View on Amazon
- Lighted magnifierBallot instructions are printed small. Read them before you mark anything.View on Amazon
- Reading glasses, multi-packSame idea, for anyone who keeps losing the one pair.View on Amazon
Spot something wrong? We check every report against the state's own page and fix errors as soon as they're reported. Email fix@ballotbymail.org or use the report form.