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Can I vote by mail where I live?
Election Day is Tue, Nov 3, 8 days away.
Not sure if you should vote in person or by mail? Three questions.
48 of 53 official pages checked daily — how we know this is current
Latest on mail-in voting
Today
- AZ Secretary of State Fontes makes case for a second term, defends mail votingABC15 Arizona
- 9th Circuit questions DOJ demand to set aside 20,000 California mail ballotsCaliforniaAP News
- Trump administration urges appeals court to set aside thousands of California ballots in the ongoing midterm election.CaliforniaVotebeat
Yesterday
- Ninth Circuit Panel Seems Skeptical of DOJ’s Attempt to Force California to Segregate Ballots from Purported Noncitizens [Updated from Just Completed Oral Argument]CaliforniaElection Law Blog
- Watch Ninth Circuit Oral Argument in California Ballot CaseCaliforniaElection Law Blog
- California election officials frustrated, rattled by DOJ demand to sequester 'noncitizen' ballotsCaliforniaPBS
- Massachusetts and Idaho put guns on the ballot. One seeks to restrict them, the other to honor themMassachusettsAP News
- Iowa absentee ballot numbers in the 2026 general electionIowaBleeding Heartland
Earlier
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
- 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
- League of Women Voters of Mass. v. Trump: MANDATE of USCA as to [221] Notice of Appeal, filed by Markwayne Mullin, Frank J Bisignano, Joseph B. Edlow, United States Postal Service Board of Governors, Da… doc
- League of Women Voters of Mass. v. Trump: USCA Judgment as to [221] Notice of Appeal, filed by Markwayne Mullin, Frank J Bisignano, Joseph B. Edlow, United States Postal Service Board of Governors, Davi… doc
- California et al. v. U.S. Postal Service: USCA Mandate doc
Changes on official pages
- New York election office A lock icon or https:// means you’ve safely connected to
- Michigan election office Deadline: Individuals registered to vote at their current address have until 4 p.m. the day before Election Day to submit an application in person at their local clerk’s office.
- Colorado election office If you have further questions about your mail ballot's status, contact your local county clerk and recorder's office or sign up for BallotTrax, a system that will allow you to track your ballot from sent to accepted.
- Alaska election office Deadline for the division to receive an application for recount.
- Alaska election office Regional Offices open 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. for Absentee and Early Voting.
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.