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How to vote in 5 states with Oct. 9-10 registration deadlines

There are a variety of ways to vote. Below are all the details you’ll need to do so in five states with deadlines coming up Friday, Oct. 9, and Saturday, Oct. 10.

Remember, the deadlines for turning in mail ballots don’t preclude you from turning in your ballot as soon as you receive it. And with the problems with U.S. mail, and the huge number of mail ballots expected this year, the earlier you turn it in, the better. (Legal references were provided by the Voting Rights Lab.)

Oct. 9 states

IDAHO

"The voter may return a completed ballot by mail. The voter may return the ballot in person to the office of the county clerk. The county clerk must provide at least one "absent electors' polling place" in each county at which voters may mark and return the ballot.” - Idaho Code § 34-1005; Idaho Code § 34-1006

NEW YORK

"Voters may return ballots by mail or in person to the county board of elections.” - N.Y. Elec. Code § 8-410

NORTH CAROLINA

"Voters may return ballots by mail or commercial courier service, or they may deliver them in person to the county board of elections or to a site for one-stop, in-person absentee voting. A near relative (spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, stepparent, or stepchild.) or legal guardian may also deliver a ballot on a voter's behalf.” - N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-231(b); N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-226(f)

OKLAHOMA

"Voters may return ballots by mail, by private mail service, or in person to the county election board office. Voters in nursing homes or veterans facilities in the county may return their ballots on site to absentee voting board officials. Voters who apply to vote absentee under the special provisions applicable to incapacitated voters and their caregivers must return their ballots by mail or a private mail service.” - Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 14-108(A); Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 14-115; Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 14-110.1; Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 14-113.2; Okla. Admin. Code § 230:30-11-1(c)

Oct. 10 states

DELAWARE

"Voters can return their ballot by mailing the ballot, delivering the ballot, or causing it to be delivered to the Department before the polls close on Election Day.” - Del. Code tit. 15, § 5507(4)

  • Deadline to register to vote is Oct. 10. Register here: https://ivote.de.gov/VoterView

  • Delaware is sending mail/absentee ballot applications to all registered voters. You can also request one here: https://ivote.de.gov/VoterView. Ballots must be received by Nov. 3.

  • No early voting, but you may still turn in your absentee/mail-in ballot at a county election the state election office ahead of election day. State and county office locations here: https://elections.delaware.gov/locations.shtml

  • ID requirements for in person voting are here: https://electionsncc.delaware.gov/faqs/voting.shtml

  • Who can handle a mail ballot? “Absentee voters must return their ballots by U.S. mail, by delivering it, or “causing it to be delivered” prior to the close of polls on Election Day. There is no explicit provision for an agent or designee to return an absentee ballot on behalf of a voter.” - NCSL