Voting During The Coronavirus Pandemic

The coronavirus situation in the United States raises questions about how Americans will be able to vote safely in the upcoming general election.

Fortunately, most states and territories offer options that should make it easier for citizens to cast their ballots while keeping a healthy distance from the usual polling place crowds.

Common options include:

• Online voter registration
• Early in-person voting
• Vote absentee by mail
• Eased absentee qualifications
• Staffed absentee ballot drop-off
• Absentee ballot drop boxes

Different Rules In Different States

While there are federal regulations that all states must follow, each state has a lot of control over electoral procedures and the rules for voting its elections.

Of course, they don't all choose to run elections the same way. Even when states use the same terminology, the details often differ. In-person drop-off of early voting ballots is not the same process in California as it is in Texas. North Dakota does not have voter registration. Everyone in Colorado can vote by mail, but Indiana requires a qualifying excuse.