Election laws have shifted significantly across the nation since the 2020 elections, meaning voters will face new guidelines regarding the counting of their ballots.

The impact of these changes varies considerably: some regulations may increase the likelihood that your vote gets counted while others may reduce it. Additionally, some rules may enable you to know the election results in your state before the night of November 5 ends.

“For many people voting in this year’s election, the experience will be the easiest it has ever been, but for others, it may be significantly more challenging than in 2020 or even 2016,” stated Megan Bellamy, VP of law and policy at the nonpartisan advocacy group Voting Rights Lab.

“It’s crucial for voters to comprehend the new aspects of their voting process and what is expected of them, particularly in states with tighter restrictions,” Bellamy emphasized. “Do not assume that past experiences will be applicable to this year’s voting.”

Below is a compilation of states that have altered their voting counting processes since the last presidential election. This information derives from discussions with impartial experts, insights from state election officials, and existing state legislation.

Return your absentee ballot sooner in these states

At least five states have expedited the deadlines for submitting absentee ballots back to local election offices. Consequently, you may need to return your ballot in person sooner or ensure it is postmarked earlier. If the delivery of your ballot is delayed, it risks not being counted.

Arkansas requires voters to submit absentee ballots to their county clerk by the Friday prior to Election Day, which is Nov. 1.

Iowa mandates that absentee ballots be postmarked by Election Day and received by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5. Hand delivery of absentee ballots to polling places on Election Day is not permitted.

Ohio stipulates that absentee ballots must be postmarked by the day before the election, Nov. 4. To be counted, these ballots must also arrive at the elections office by the fourth day post-election, specifically by Saturday, Nov. 9. In-person absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5.

Nevada requires absentee ballots to be postmarked by Election Day and will count them if they arrive within four days, by 5 p.m. on Nov. 9. If the postmark cannot be seen by the election office, ballots received within three days of Election Day will be counted, by 5 p.m. on Nov. 8.

North Carolina requires voters to ensure their ballots reach the election office by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5, the close of polls. Any absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day but arriving afterward will not be counted.

States making absentee returns more accommodating

At least seven states and the District of Columbia have extended the timeframes for counting absentee ballots, offering voters greater flexibility. This means even if there are mail delays, your ballot may still be counted.

Alabama requires absentee ballots to be received by noon on Election Day. Ballots delivered in person must be received before the close of business on the day before the election, November 4.

California requires absentee ballots to be postmarked by Election Day and allows them to be counted if received within seven days thereafter.

Indiana requires that absentee ballots be received by 6 p.m. on Election Day.

New York mandates absentee ballots to be postmarked by Election Day and will count them if they arrive up to seven days after the election. which is November 12.

Oregon mandates that absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and accepts them as long as they arrive within seven days after the election.

Washington, D.C. requires that absentee ballots be postmarked by Election Day and will count those received up to 10 days after the election.

Results may be available sooner in these states

In at least ten states, election authorities are now permitted to start processing or counting votes earlier compared to 2020. This change minimizes the workload following the closure of polls on Election Day, leading to earlier reports of partial, unofficial results. However, it does not allow for any vote counts to be disclosed before the closing of polls.

Delaware enables election workers to begin verifying the submissions of absentee ballots and extracting them from envelopes as early as 30 days prior to the election. Once this verification is completed, they can then scan the ballots. Previously, they weren’t allowed to begin processing ballots until the Friday before Election Day.

Hawaii allows absentee ballot counting to start 18 days prior to Election Day but prohibits the release of results until polls are closed. Before this change, counting could only begin 10 days before the election.

Louisiana permits counting to commence on Election Day, with earlier regulations not specifying when counting could start.

Maryland has set the counting of absentee ballots to start when the polls open on Election Day, also mandating that vote totals remain confidential until polls close. In the 2020 elections, absentee ballots could not be counted until the Wednesday following Election Day.

Michigan allows officials in larger cities to begin the process of opening absentee ballot envelopes and performing initial verifications eight days before November 5. This was not authorized in 2020 until Election Day.

Nevada allows counting to begin 15 days before Election Day, but results must not be published until polls have closed. In 2020, counting only started on Election Day.

New Jersey permits absentee ballot counting to start five days before the election, yet results cannot be revealed until the polls close. In 2020, counting began only on Election Day.

New York allows the counting of absentee ballots to kick-off one hour prior to polls closing. Previously, counting did not commence until after Election Day.

South Carolina has changed its rules, allowing absentee ballot counting to start at 7 a.m. on Election Day, as opposed to the previous 9 a.m. start time in 2020.

Virginia requires election officials to begin examining absentee ballot envelopes and opening them at least seven days before Election Day, a change from 2020 when they had more flexibility over when to begin this process.