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How to fix absentee and mail ballot issues

This page contains instructions on what you can do if:

  • You lost your mail-in ballot.
  • You requested a mail-in ballot, and you never received it.
  • You requested a mail-in ballot, and want to vote in person instead.

In most states you can still vote. Check below for the rules in your state.

StateBackup voting options
Alabama

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Alaska

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Arizona

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Arkansas

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
California

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Colorado

All Colorado elections are held by mail, but you can vote in person if you'd like.

  • If you have your ballot, bring it with you to a voting center to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Connecticut

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.

In CT you must do this before 5 PM, 4 days before Election Day

Delaware

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
District of Columbia

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Florida

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Georgia

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Hawaii

All Hawaii elections are held by mail, but you can vote in person if you'd like.

  • If you have your ballot, bring it with you to a voting center to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Idaho

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Illinois

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Indiana

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Iowa

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Kansas

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Kentucky

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Louisiana

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Maine

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Maryland

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Massachusetts

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Michigan

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Minnesota

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Mississippi

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Missouri

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Montana

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Nebraska

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Nevada

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
New Hampshire

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot. .
New Jersey

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
New Mexico

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
New York

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
North Carolina

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
North Dakota

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Ohio

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Oklahoma

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Oregon

All Oregon elections are held by mail, but you can vote in person if you'd like.

  • If you have your ballot, bring it with you to a voting center to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Pennsylvania

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Rhode Island

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
South Carolina

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
South Dakota

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Tennessee

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Texas

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Utah

All Utah elections are held by mail, but you can vote in person if you'd like.

  • If you have your ballot, bring it with you to a voting center to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Vermont

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Virginia

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Washington

All Washington elections are held by mail, but you can vote in person if you'd like.

  • If you have your ballot, bring it with you to a voting center to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
West Virginia

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Wisconsin

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
Wyoming

If you requested an absentee or mail ballot and now want or need to vote in person, here's what you do:

  • If you have your ballot, you must give it to a poll worker to be destroyed. After you do this, you may vote a regular in-person ballot.
  • If you do not have your ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact. After that, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.