Permanent Absentee Lists
In addition to policies governing which voters qualify for absentee ballots, some states have implemented options for voters to sign up to be placed on a list to permanently receive absentee ballots each election. States differ on whether all voters or only certain voters are eligible for this option, and other states allow annual or bi-annual sign ups. In addition, certain states will send applications rather than actual ballots. A small number of states have also implemented bans on the unsolicited distribution of absentee ballots or applications. States that conduct all-mail elections have been scored as having a permanent absentee list.
State allows all voters to sign up for a permanent absentee list to receive ballots
(18 states + D.C.)
State allows some voters to sign up for a permanent absentee list to receive ballots
(9 states)
State allows some or all voters to sign up for annual or bi-annual absentee list to receive ballots
(4 states)
State allows some or all voters to sign up for permanent list to receive applications
(6 states)
State has no applicable law
(8 states)
State bans unsolicited distribution of absentee ballots or applications
(5 states)
Recommended citation: Movement Advancement Project. “Permanent Absentee Voter List Availability” https://mapresearch.org/democracy-map/absentee-and-mail-voting-policies/. Accessed June 12, 2026.
Breakdown by Population
*Note: These percentages reflect the voting-eligible population, as reported by the United States Election Project.
38%
38% of voting-eligible population lives in states that allow all voters to sign up for a permanent absentee list to receive ballots
14%
14% of the population lives in states that allow some voters to sign up for a permanent absentee list to receive ballots
9%
9% of voting-eligible population lives in states that allow some or all voters to sign up for annual or bi-annual absentee list to receive ballots
11%
11% of the population lives in states that allow some or all voters to sign up for permanent list to receive applications
14%
14% of voting-eligible population lives in states that have no applicable law
14%
14% of voting-eligible population lives in states that ban unsolicited distribution of absentee ballots or applications
