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Ways to Vote

Ways to vote are the different methods a person can use to cast a ballot. They include voting in person on Election Day, voting early, and voting by mail with an absentee or mail ballot. Some voters use a provisional ballot when their eligibility is unclear. Each state decides which methods it offers, and local election offices carry them out.

People usually ask how to request and return a mail ballot, what separates absentee from mail-in voting, how to track a ballot, when a provisional ballot is used, and how voting methods have changed over time.

5articles
October 4last updated

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All Articles on Ways to Vote

How to Track Your Mail Ballot After You Send It

Learn how to track your mailed ballot through postal and election systems, decode status messages, and fix problems before deadlines pass.

19 Min Read

Absentee vs. Mail-In Ballots: What’s the Difference?

Absentee and mail-in ballots differ by state: some require an excuse, others send ballots automatically. Learn the rules on deadlines and signatures.

19 Min Read

How to Vote by Mail: The Full Process

Learn the five steps to vote by mail: check eligibility, request your ballot, fill out the envelope correctly, return it early, and track it to catch rejections.

21 Min Read

How Americans Vote: From Paper Ballots to Voting Apps

The method by which Americans cast their votes has never been static. From public declarations in a town square to the tap of a…

36 Min Read

Provisional vs. Regular Ballots: Your Voting Guide

When you walk into a polling place on Election Day, you expect to receive a ballot, vote, and leave knowing your voice was heard.…

23 Min Read