Which States Permanently Adopted Mail and Absentee Voting Changes?
The 2020 election prompted nearly every state to adjust how voters could cast ballots by mail. Some of those changes were temporary and expired. Others were written into law permanently. As of 2026, U.S. states fall into three broad tiers: all-mail states, no-excuse absentee states, and excuse-required states. Here is where each state stands, and what changed for good after the pandemic.
The Three Tiers of Mail Voting in 2026
Every state offers some form of mail or absentee voting, but access varies dramatically:
- Tier 1: All-mail (mail-first) states. Every active registered voter automatically receives a ballot in the mail before each election. No request is needed.
- Tier 2: No-excuse absentee states. Any registered voter may request a mail ballot without giving a reason. This is the largest group, covering most states.
- Tier 3: Excuse-required states. Voters must have an approved reason (such as illness, disability, or being away from home on Election Day) to receive an absentee ballot.
Tier 1: All-Mail Voting States
As of 2026, eight states and the District of Columbia mail a ballot to every active registered voter automatically:
- California
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Nevada
- Oregon
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
Important context: all-mail does not mean mail-only. Every one of these states still offers in-person voting options, such as vote centers or voting at the election office, for people who prefer to vote in person or need accessible equipment. Mailing every voter a ballot is simply the default.
Oregon pioneered this model in the late 1990s, and Washington and Colorado followed well before 2020. The newest members of this tier joined after the pandemic, which brings us to what actually changed.
What Changed Permanently After 2020
During 2020, many states temporarily expanded mail voting, relaxed excuse requirements, or mailed ballots or applications to all voters as a public health accommodation. Afterward, states diverged:
States That Made Expansion Permanent
- Nevada conducted its 2020 general election largely by mail under emergency provisions, then passed legislation making universal mail ballot delivery permanent. Every active registered voter now receives a ballot automatically, with the option to opt out.
- Vermont mailed ballots to all active voters in 2020 and later made that practice permanent for general elections.
- California mailed every voter a ballot in 2020 as a temporary measure and subsequently made universal vote-by-mail permanent for all elections.
- Several other states kept pieces of their pandemic-era changes, such as expanded permanent absentee lists (where a voter signs up once and automatically receives a mail ballot in future elections), broader use of ballot drop boxes, or online absentee request systems.
States That Tightened Rules
A smaller number of states moved in the other direction after 2020, adding requirements such as stricter ID rules for absentee applications, limits on drop boxes, or restrictions on who may return another voter's ballot. The details vary by state and continue to be adjusted by legislatures and courts, which is why checking current rules with your state before each election matters.
Tier 2: No-Excuse Absentee States
Most states fall into this middle tier. Any registered voter can request a mail ballot without stating a reason. This group includes large states such as Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Ohio, Virginia, and dozens of others. Within this tier, the mechanics differ:
- Some states offer a permanent absentee list: sign up once and receive a mail ballot automatically for future elections.
- Others require a new application for each election or each election year.
- Request deadlines, return deadlines, witness or signature requirements, and drop box availability all vary by state.
If you live in a no-excuse state, the most important things to know are your state's request deadline and whether your ballot must be received (not just postmarked) by Election Day. Our state-by-state mail voting guide covers these details.
Tier 3: Excuse-Required States
As of 2026, a minority of states still require voters to provide an approved excuse to vote absentee. These generally include:
- Alabama
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- South Carolina
- Texas
- West Virginia
Even within this tier, the rules are less restrictive than they may sound for many voters:
- Texas allows voters age 65 and older to vote by mail without any other excuse, along with voters who are sick, disabled, out of the county during voting, or confined in jail but otherwise eligible.
- Indiana has a similar age-based exemption along with a list of other qualifying reasons.
- Most excuse-required states accept common reasons such as illness, disability, being a student away from home, work obligations, or travel on Election Day.
- Several of these states offset the excuse requirement with in-person early or absentee voting periods available to all voters. See our early voting guide for those options.
All 50 States and D.C. at a Glance
The table below groups every state by tier as of mid-2026. Rules change through legislation and court decisions, so treat this as a starting point and verify with your state election office or our ballot lookup tool before making a voting plan.
| Tier | How it works | States (as of 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| All-mail / mail-first | Every active registered voter automatically receives a mail ballot; in-person options remain available | California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, plus Washington, D.C. |
| No-excuse absentee | Any voter may request a mail ballot without giving a reason; deadlines and procedures vary by state | Most remaining states, including Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Excuse required | Voters must cite an approved reason to receive an absentee ballot; several states include age-based exemptions | Alabama, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia |
Note: A few states classify or administer their rules in ways that blur these lines (for example, counties in some states may opt into mail-ballot elections, and Connecticut and Delaware have changed their rules in recent years). When in doubt, your state election office is the authoritative source.
Why the Tiers Keep Shifting
Mail voting rules are set by state legislatures, state constitutions, and sometimes ballot measures, and they are frequently litigated. Since 2020, states have continued to adjust deadlines, ID requirements, drop box rules, and ballot curing procedures (the process for fixing a signature or paperwork problem on a returned ballot). A state's tier can change between elections.
That is the single most practical takeaway from this guide: whatever tier your state was in last election, confirm the current rules before this one. Use our ballot lookup tool to see what is on your ballot, and check your state election office for exact absentee deadlines and requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have permanent mail in voting?
As of 2026, eight states plus Washington, D.C. run elections primarily by mail, automatically sending a ballot to every active registered voter: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.
Which states permanently adopted absentee voting changes after the pandemic?
Nevada and Vermont made universal mail ballot delivery permanent after 2020, and California made its temporary all-voter mail ballot policy permanent as well. Other states kept pieces of their pandemic-era changes, such as expanded permanent absentee lists or drop boxes, while a few states tightened their rules instead.
What states have no excuse absentee voting?
The majority of states allow any registered voter to request a mail ballot without a reason. If your state is not on the all-mail list or the excuse-required list above, it almost certainly offers no-excuse absentee voting, but confirm with your state election office since rules change.
Which states still require an excuse for absentee voting?
As of 2026: Alabama, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia. Several of these have significant exemptions, such as Texas and Indiana allowing older voters to vote by mail without another excuse.
Do all mail voting states still have in person voting?
Yes. Every all-mail state maintains in-person voting options such as vote centers or election-office voting for voters who prefer or need them.
How do I find out my state's mail voting rules for 2026?
Your state or local election office website is the authoritative source for current deadlines and eligibility. You can also start with our ballot lookup tool to see your ballot and find your state's voting options.