Weeks before November 5, the 2024 election date, the vast majority of voters across the country can cast their ballots in person or by mail in most states if they prefer. The map below provides more information on early voting options.

Alabama was the first state to begin sending mail-in ballots on Sept. 11. It is one of 10 states that begin mailing mail-in ballots to voters more than 45 days before Election Day. Some states will begin early in-person voting as early as September. Ballots for military and overseas voters must be mailed 45 days before Election Day, so they will be mailed on Sept. 21. Each state sets its own voter registration deadlines.

Since the turn of the century, Americans’ opportunities to cast their ballots in advance in person or by mail have increased dramatically. The Center for Election Innovation and Research found that in 2000, only 40% of voters had the opportunity to cast their ballots in advance in person or by mail. Today, 97% have at least one opportunity to vote before Election Day.

“Our research shows that it is easier than ever for nearly all voters in the United States to cast their ballot. Almost all voters can vote early at a time and place of their choosing, and the vast majority can vote by mail if they prefer,” said David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research. Becker, who serves as an election law expert for CBS News, added: “This means the 2024 election will be as safe and convenient for voters as any election in our history.”

Map of voting options by state for the 2024 election

On this map you can see where you can vote early and what options are available:

States that offer early voting and mail-in voting to all voters

Forty-six states and the District of Columbia offer all voters the opportunity to vote early. Here are the states that offer everyone the opportunity to vote early in person as well as by mail, according to the Center for Election Innovation and Research.

1. Alaska
2. Arizona
3. Arkansas
4. California: Voting by mail: All active, registered voters will receive a ballot.
5. Colorado: Voting by mail: All active, registered voters will receive a ballot.
6. DC: Postal voting: All active, registered voters receive a ballot.
7. Delaware
8. Florida
9. Georgia
10. Hawaii: Voting by mail: All active, registered voters will receive a ballot.
11. Idaho
12. Illinois
13. Iowa
14. Kansas
15. Maine
16. Maryland
17. Massachusetts
18. Michigan
19. Minnesota
20. Montana
21. Nebraska
22. Nevada: Voting by mail: All active, registered voters will receive a ballot.
23. New Jersey
24. New Mexico
25. new York
26. North Carolina
27. North Dakota
28. Ohio
29. Oklahoma
30. Oregon: Voting by mail: All active, registered voters receive a ballot.
31. Pennsylvania
32. Rhode Island
33. South Dakota
34. Utah: Voting by mail: All active, registered voters will receive a ballot.
35. Vermont: Voting by mail: All active, registered voters receive a ballot.
36. Virginia
37. Washington: Voting by mail: All active, registered voters receive a ballot.
38. Wisconsin
39. Wyoming

States that offer early voting for all but require a valid reason for voting by mail

Here are the states that allow early in-person voting, but require a valid reason to vote by mail.

1. Connecticut
2. Indiana
3. Kentucky
4. Louisiana
5. Missouri
6. South Carolina
7. Tennessee
8. Texas

States where early voting is not available to all voters and a valid reason for voting by mail is required

Four states do not allow early voting and require a valid reason to vote by mail, meaning that not everyone in these states has the opportunity to vote on a day other than Election Day.

1. Alabama
2. Mississippi
3. New Hampshire
4. West Virginia

Close race between Harris and Trump in the swing states

In the seven swing states – the most contested states in the country – the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is very close. CBS News polls in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania in September shows that they are tied or separated by no more than 2 points, which is within the margin of error. CBS News also has regular updates his estimates of support for Harris and Trump in the seven swing states – those three states plus Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina and Georgia – that are likely to determine who wins the presidency.

On September 10, Harris and Trump will travel to Philadelphia for their first debate – and so far it is their only debate. Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, will meet in New York on October 1 for a Debate moderated by CBS News.

Republicans and Democrats prepare for election challenges

Republicans and Democrats alike have assembled teams of lawyers to tackle all voting challenges related to the election. Since 2020, more than two dozen counties in eight states have attempted to block the certification of their elections – including in Arizona, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. This year alone, officials in the swing states Nevada And Michigan has tried to prevent local elections from taking place, a first indication of what could happen in the days following the November presidential election.

While Republican groups urge GOP voters to embrace early voting and mail-in voting, Trump often undermines those efforts when he calls mail-in voting “insidious.” He and his allies and politicians continue to raise the specter of voter fraud and urge voters not to trust mail-in voting. In June, the former president warned thousands at a rally in Detroit to “watch your vote” because “they” – the Democrats – would “destroy” and “erase” their votes in November.

Last month, Georgia’s State Election Board adopted two rules that allow local officials in any Georgia county to challenge the election before local officials certify the election results. The certification vote officially ends the election process, in which votes are counted and tallied. The rules are unique in that the board’s political appointees are seeking to expand the role of officials who certify votes at the county level. These new rules could cause the certification of presidential election results to be delayed beyond the strict Nov. 12 deadline at 5 p.m. ET.