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Three states have write-in candidate filing deadlines between now and Election Day

By

Stefan Martinez-Ruiz

Election Day is in 11 days! Between Oct. 24 and the Nov. 3 general election, three states have write-in candidate filing deadlines, early voting starts in six states, 24 states have voter registration deadlines, and 27 states have absentee/mail-in ballot request deadlines.

  • Alaska: Oct. 29
  • Washington: Nov. 3
  • Wisconsin: Oct. 30

Candidates must meet various state-specific filing requirements and deadlines to appear on primary and general election ballots. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether and how candidates can make it onto the ballot. These laws are set at the state level and apply to candidates running for state and federal offices.

Most states allow voters to write in the name of a candidate who does not appear on the ballot in a general election. In 31 states, write-in candidates must file before the election in order for their votes to be counted.

Voting in upcoming elections

All 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands will hold elections on Nov. 3.

Six states, the District of Columbia, and the Northern Mariana Islands have early voting periods that start in the next 11 days:

  • District of Columbia: Early voting begins Oct. 26.
  • Florida: Early voting begins Oct. 24.
  • Kentucky: Early voting begins Oct. 29.
  • Michigan: Early voting begins Oct. 24.
  • New Jersey: Early voting begins Oct. 24.
  • New York: Early voting begins Oct. 24.
  • Northern Mariana Islands: Early voting begins Oct. 27.
  • Oklahoma: Early voting begins Oct. 28.

Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia have voter registration deadlines for the Nov. 3 general election in the next 11 days:

  • California: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • Colorado: Oct. 26 is the last day to register by mail and online. Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • Connecticut: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • District of Columbia: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • Hawaii: Oct. 26 is the last day to register by mail. Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person and online.
  • Idaho: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • Illinois: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • Iowa: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • Maine: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • Maryland: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • Massachusetts: Oct. 24 is the last day to register to vote.
  • Michigan: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • Minnesota: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • Montana: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • Nevada: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person and online.
  • New Hampshire: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • New Mexico: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • New York: Oct. 24 is the last day to register to vote.
  • North Carolina: Oct. 31 is the last day to register in person.
  • Utah: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • Vermont: Nov. 3 is the last day to register to vote.
  • Virginia: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • Washington: Oct. 26 is the last day to register by mail and online. Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • Wisconsin: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.
  • Wyoming: Nov. 3 is the last day to register in person.

Twenty-seven states, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands have absentee/mail-in ballot request deadlines for the Nov. 3 election in the next 11 days:

  • Alabama: Oct. 27 is the last day to request a ballot by mail, and Oct. 29 is the last day to request a ballot in person.
  • Alaska: Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot by mail or online, and Nov. 3 is the last day to request a ballot in person.
  • American Samoa: Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot in person.
  • Arkansas: Oct. 27 is the last day to request a ballot by mail, and Oct. 30 is the last day to request a ballot in person.
  • Connecticut: Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot.
  • Delaware: Oct. 30 is the last day to request a ballot by mail, and Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot in person.
  • Guam: Oct. 31 is the last day to request a ballot.
  • Illinois: Oct. 29 is the last day to request a ballot by mail or online, and Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot in person.
  • Kansas: Oct. 27 is the last day to request a ballot.
  • Louisiana: Oct. 30 is the last day to request a ballot in person or by mail.
  • Maine: Oct. 29 is the last day to request a ballot.
  • Maryland: Oct. 27 is the last day to request a ballot by mail, Oct. 30 is the last day to request a ballot online, and Nov. 3 is the last day to request a ballot in person.
  • Massachusetts: Oct. 27 is the last day to request a ballot.
  • Michigan: Oct. 30 is the last day to request a ballot by mail or online, and Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot in person.
  • Minnesota: Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot.
  • Missouri: Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot in person.
  • Montana: Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot in person or by mail.
  • New Hampshire: Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot in person or by mail.
  • New Jersey: Oct. 27 is the last day to request a ballot by mail or online, and Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot in person.
  • New York: Oct. 24 is the last day to request a ballot by mail or online, and Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot in person.
  • North Dakota: Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot.
  • Northern Mariana Islands: Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot in person.
  • Ohio: Oct. 27 is the last day to request a ballot in person or by mail.
  • Pennsylvania: Oct. 27 is the last day to request a ballot.
  • South Dakota: Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot in person or by mail.
  • Tennessee: Oct. 24 is the last day to request a ballot by mail.
  • Vermont: Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot.
  • West Virginia: Oct. 28 is the last day to request a ballot.
  • Wisconsin: Oct. 29 is the last day to request a ballot by mail or online, and Nov. 1 is the last day to request a ballot in person.
  • Wyoming: Nov. 2 is the last day to request a ballot in person or by mail.

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