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2026 Early Voting Dates by State

When early voting opens in every state for the November 3, 2026 midterm elections — the first in-person ballots are cast in mid-September, almost seven weeks before Election Day.

First Early Votes (Minnesota) · September 18, 2026

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Quick Answer

Earliest States
Minnesota & South Dakota — ≈ September 18, 2026 (46 days out)
Most States
Open early voting in mid-to-late October 2026
All-Mail States
9 states + D.C. mail every active voter a ballot automatically
No Early Voting
Alabama, Mississippi, New Hampshire
Election Day
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 — everywhere

Early Voting Dates by State

StateEarly Voting BeginsEndsNotes
AlabamaNo early in-person votingAbsentee voting requires an excuse.
Alaska≈ Oct 19 · 15 days before Election DayElection Day
Arizona≈ Oct 7 · 27 days before Election DayFriday before Election Day
Arkansas≈ Oct 19 · 15 days before Election Day5 p.m. the Monday before Election Day
California≈ Oct 5 · 29 days before Election DayElection DayAll-mailEvery active voter is mailed a ballot; in-person options vary by county.
Colorado≈ Oct 19 · 15 days before Election DayElection DayAll-mailEvery active voter is mailed a ballot.
Connecticut≈ Oct 19 · 15 days before Election Day2 days before Election Day
Delaware≈ Oct 24 · 10 days before Election DaySunday before Election Day
Florida≈ Oct 24 · 10 days before Election Day3 days before Election DayCounties may offer additional days.
Georgia≈ Oct 12 · Fourth Monday before Election DayFriday before Election Day
Hawaii≈ Oct 20 · 10 business days before Election DayElection DayAll-mailEvery active voter is mailed a ballot.
Idaho≈ Oct 12 · On or after the fourth Monday before Election Day5 p.m. Friday before Election DayCounty option — start dates vary.
Illinois≈ Sep 24 · 40 days before (temporary sites); 15 days before (permanent sites)Day before Election Day
Indiana≈ Oct 6 · 28 days before Election DayNoon, day before Election Day
Iowa≈ Oct 14 · 20 days before Election Day5 p.m. day before Election Day
Kansas≈ Oct 14 · 20 days before Election Day (county option)Noon, day before Election DaySome counties start as late as the Tuesday before.
Kentucky≈ Oct 29 · Thursday before Election DaySaturday before Election DayThree days of no-excuse early voting.
Louisiana≈ Oct 20 · 14 days before Election Day7 days before Election Day
MaineWhen absentee ballots are ready (30–45 days before)3 business days before Election DayIn-person absentee at the clerk’s office; start varies by town.
Maryland≈ Oct 22 · Second Thursday before Election DayThursday before Election Day
Massachusetts≈ Oct 17 · 17 days before Election Day (state general elections)2 business days before Election Day
Michigan≈ Oct 25 · 9 days before Election DaySunday before Election DayCities/townships may offer more days.
Minnesota≈ Sep 18 · 46 days before Election Day5 p.m. day before Election DayEarliest start in the nation (in-person absentee).
MississippiNo early in-person votingAbsentee voting requires an excuse.
Missouri≈ Oct 20 · Second Tuesday before Election DayDay before Election DayNo-excuse in-person absentee.
Montana≈ Oct 4 · 30 days before Election DayDay before Election Day
Nebraska≈ Oct 4 · 30 days before Election DayElection Day
Nevada≈ Oct 17 · Third Saturday before Election DayFriday before Election DayAll-mailEvery active voter is mailed a ballot.
New HampshireNo early in-person votingAbsentee voting requires an excuse.
New Jersey≈ Oct 24 · 10 days before Election Day2 days before Election Day
New Mexico≈ Oct 6 · 28 days before (county clerk); third Saturday before (other sites)Saturday before Election Day
New York≈ Oct 24 · 10 days before Election Day2 days before Election Day
North Carolina≈ Oct 15 · Third Thursday before Election Day3 p.m. last Saturday before Election Day
North Dakota≈ Oct 19 · 15 days before Election Day (county option)Day before Election DayCounties choose whether and when to open early voting.
Ohio≈ Oct 5 · 29 days before Election Day5 p.m. Sunday before Election Day
Oklahoma≈ Oct 28 · Wednesday before Election Day2 p.m. Saturday before Election Day
Oregon≈ Oct 16 · Ballots mailed ~18 days before Election DayElection DayAll-mailAll-mail state; drop sites open by the Friday before.
PennsylvaniaWhen counties finish preparing mail ballots (up to 50 days before)5 p.m. first Tuesday before Election DayIn-person mail-ballot voting at county offices; start varies by county.
Rhode Island≈ Oct 14 · 20 days before Election DayDay before Election Day
South Carolina≈ Oct 20 · Two weeks before Election DayDay before Election Day
South Dakota≈ Sep 18 · 46 days before Election Day5 p.m. day before Election DayIn-person absentee at the county auditor’s office.
Tennessee≈ Oct 14 · 20 days before Election Day5 days before Election Day
Texas≈ Oct 17 · 17 days before Election DayDay before Election Day
Utah≈ Oct 20 · 14 days before Election DayFriday before Election Day (extendable)All-mailEvery active voter is mailed a ballot.
Vermont≈ Sep 19 · 45 days before Election Day5 p.m. day before Election DayAll-mailEvery active voter is mailed a ballot for general elections.
Virginia≈ Sep 19 · 45 days before Election Day5 p.m. Saturday before Election Day
Washington≈ Oct 16 · 18 days before Election Day8 p.m. Election DayAll-mailEvery active voter is mailed a ballot.
West Virginia≈ Oct 21 · 13 days before Election Day3 days before Election Day
Wisconsin≈ Oct 20 · 14 days before Election DaySunday before Election DayIn-person absentee; hours vary by municipality.
Wyoming≈ Oct 6 · 28 days before Election DayDay before Election Day
District of Columbia≈ Oct 22 · 12 days before Election DaySaturday before Election DayAll-mailEvery active voter is mailed a ballot.

Rules per NCSL's early in-person voting statute survey; ≈ dates computed for the November 3, 2026 general election.

All-Mail States: Your Ballot Comes to You

In 9 states plus Washington, D.C. — California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington — every active registered voter automatically receives a ballot in the mail, typically two to three weeks before Election Day. You can return it by mail, at a drop box, or vote in person instead.

States Without Early In-Person Voting

Alabama, Mississippi, New Hampshire do not offer early in-person voting. Voters there cast ballots on Election Day, or by absentee ballot with a qualifying excuse. Check vote.gov for your state's absentee rules and deadlines.

Live on Congress Countdown

Live countdown to Election Day — November 3, 2026

Days, hours, and minutes until polls open nationwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does early voting start for the 2026 midterms?

It depends on your state. The earliest early (in-person absentee) voting begins around September 18, 2026 in Minnesota and South Dakota — 46 days before Election Day. Most states open early voting in mid-to-late October 2026. Three states (Alabama, Mississippi, New Hampshire) have no early in-person voting.

Which states have no early voting?

Alabama, Mississippi, and New Hampshire do not offer early in-person voting. Voters in those states vote on Election Day, November 3, 2026, or absentee with a qualifying excuse.

Which states automatically mail every voter a ballot?

California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington — plus Washington, D.C. — mail a ballot to every active registered voter for the 2026 general election, typically two to three weeks before Election Day.

When is Election Day 2026?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in every state. Early voting windows vary by state, but everyone can vote in person on Election Day itself.

How do I find my exact early voting locations and hours?

Use vote.gov, the federal government’s official voting site — it links directly to your state election office, which publishes exact early voting sites, dates, and hours for the November 3, 2026 election.