A recent CRS report on early and mail voting published July 10 reveals a fundamental conflict shaping election policy: how much authority should rest with the federal government versus individual states and localities.
As of June, all 50 states plus DC permitted at least some mail voting, with 37 states and DC offering no-excuse mail voting options. Eight states and DC conducted all-mail elections for general elections. Early voting periods span from three to 46 days depending on the state.
The Trump administration has moved to tighten mail voting deadlines and procedures through executive action, while some lawmakers have introduced bills to expand access or shield the Postal Service from operational constraints around elections.
The Big Picture
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act requires all states to allow military and overseas citizens to vote by mail in federal elections, establishing a federal floor.
The CRS report identifies arguments that mail voting provided resilience during unforeseen events such as COVID-19 in 2020 and Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Supporters contend that mail voting can lower the expenses associated with administering elections and allows voters additional time to address problems with their ballots or voter registration status. Critics counter that mail voting creates risks of delays in reporting election results, poses logistical challenges including ballot storage and postal reliability concerns, and allows voters to cast ballots before receiving late-breaking information.
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