{"id":351513,"date":"2020-03-17T09:36:43","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T14:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/voting\/my-voting-guide\/what-are-absentee-ballots-and-how-do-they-work.html"},"modified":"2024-04-23T12:46:31","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T17:46:31","slug":"what-are-absentee-ballots-and-how-do-they-work","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/my-voting-guide\/what-are-absentee-ballots-and-how-do-they-work.html","title":{"rendered":"What Are Absentee Ballots, and How Do They Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">What Are Absentee Ballots, and How Do They Work?<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/christie-nicholson-j-d\/\">Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/christie-nicholson-j-d\/\">Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            April 23, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n    <div class=\"fl-callout-text article-blockquote\">\n        <p>Electoral election officials mail or deliver absentee ballots to voters before Election Day. Voters mail these ballots back or return to election authorities before Election Day.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n<p>Absentee ballots are like regular ballots at the polling place on Election Day. They contain all the candidates and issues everyone else will vote on.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Why Would Someone Vote Absentee?<\/h2>\r\n<p>There are many reasons voters have difficulty with in-person voting at the polling place on Election Day. Some of these include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b>It&#8217;s a work day, and it may be hard for the voter to get away<\/b> from work for the time it could take to wait in line at the polls.<\/li>\r\n<li><b>Accessibility may be an issue,<\/b> especially for sick or elderly voters. Some people do not drive and can&#8217;t get to the polling place. Others may have a hard time standing in line.<\/li>\r\n<li><b>The voter may be out of town, <\/b>specifically overseas voters (such as active-duty military personnel).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>For these and other reasons, voters can vote by absentee ballot. In the U.S., 28 states do not require a reason to request an absentee ballot. Other states automatically send absentee ballot applications to voters.<\/p>\r\n<p>These states include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>California<\/li>\r\n<li>Colorado<\/li>\r\n<li>Hawaii<\/li>\r\n<li>Nevada<\/li>\r\n<li>Oregon<\/li>\r\n<li>Utah<\/li>\r\n<li>Vermont<\/li>\r\n<li>Washington<\/li>\r\n<li>District of Columbia<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Of course, you can still vote in person in these states.<\/p>\r\n<h2>How Do You Apply for an Absentee Ballot?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Some assume they can get an absentee ballot at the post office because these offices provide tax forms. That is not the case. Unless your state conducts mail voting, you must fill out an absentee ballot application.<\/p>\r\n<p>You can find your state&#8217;s rules \u2014 and the link to get an absentee ballot \u2014 in your state&#8217;s voting guide.<\/p>\r\n<p>If you are in the military or part of a military family stationed overseas, see the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.overseasvotefoundation.org\/vote\/home.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Overseas Vote Foundation<\/a>&nbsp;for information about requesting an absentee ballot. The same website has information for U.S. citizens living and working overseas.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Do You Need a Reason to Vote Absentee?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia allow anyone to vote absentee. You only need to request an absentee ballot. You don&#8217;t need to give a reason.<\/p>\r\n<p>Twenty states require that you&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cga.ct.gov\/2014\/rpt\/2014-R-0256.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">provide an excuse\/reason<\/a>&nbsp;for seeking to vote by absentee ballot.<\/p>\r\n<p>If you have questions, you can ask someone at your local voter registration office or board of elections. This is especially true for local elections, county elections, and state elections.<\/p>\r\n<h2>How Do Absentee Ballots Work?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Your first step in voting by absentee ballot is to complete the application for an absentee ballot. In some states, you can complete the form online. You can mail, fax, email, or drop off the application with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usa.gov\/election-office\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">election officials<\/a>&nbsp;in other states.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b>You must request an absentee ballot for each election you wish to vote in. <\/b>The exception is if you live in a state with a permanent absentee ballot list or one using mail-in ballots (Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Hawaii, and Utah).<\/li>\r\n<li><b>Six states allow election officials to put voters on a permanent absentee ballot list without an excuse. <\/b>These include Arizona, California, Hawaii, Montana, New Jersey, Utah, and the District of Columbia.<\/li>\r\n<li><b>Eleven states allow voters to go on a permanent absentee ballot list if they request it and have a permanent disability.<\/b> These states include the following:<ul>\r\n<li>Alabama<\/li>\r\n<li>Connecticut<\/li>\r\n<li>Delaware<\/li>\r\n<li>Illinois<\/li>\r\n<li>Kansas<\/li>\r\n<li>Louisiana ***<\/li>\r\n<li>Maine ***<\/li>\r\n<li>Mississippi<\/li>\r\n<li>New York<\/li>\r\n<li>Tennessee<\/li>\r\n<li>West Virginia<\/li>\r\n<li>Wisconsin ***<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>*** These states only allow seniors to request to go on a permanent absentee ballot list.<\/p>\r\n<p>If you are on the list in five states, you will automatically get an application before the election. You must return this form to get an absentee ballot.<\/p>\r\n<p>See the&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/elections-and-campaigns\/absentee-and-early-voting.aspx#overview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Conference of State Legislatures<\/a>&nbsp;to learn about your state&#8217;s requirements.<\/p>\r\n<p>Once you have requested one, you will get an official absentee ballot. You must sign it and send it back.<\/p>\r\n<p>Follow the instructions on the return envelope, or election officials may reject your ballot. You must sign an affidavit and provide your name, signature, home address, and birth year.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Will My Absentee Vote Count?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Election officials treat absentee ballots the same as a regular ballot.<\/p>\r\n<p>Unfortunately, absentee ballots have a much higher rejection rate than regular ballots. Election officials, poll watchers, or registered voters may be&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nass.org\/resources\/2018-election-information\/Poll-Watchers-Voter-Challenges\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">more likely to challenge absentee ballots<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Georgia faced two lawsuits in 2018 on absentee ballot rejections. Election officials rejected some absentee ballots, claiming the signatures on the envelopes did not match the signature on file for the voter.<\/p>\r\n<p>Officials also rejected ballots because of omissions on the return envelope. For example, some voters forgot to include their date of birth. Plaintiffs in the lawsuits claim rejection rates in some counties were higher than in others and that officials rejected the ballots of minority voters at a disproportionately high rate.<\/p>\r\n<h2>When Do I Need to Request an Absentee Ballot?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Every state has&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vote.org\/absentee-ballot-deadlines\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">different deadlines<\/a>&nbsp;for when you must request an absentee ballot. Some states have 21 days, such as Rhode Island, Hawaii, California, and Colorado.<\/p>\r\n<h2>When Are Absentee Ballots Due?<\/h2>\r\n<p>In most states, election offices must receive absentee ballots by Election Day.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b>The following states accept absentee ballots postmarked on Election Day but delivered after Election Day:<\/b> Alaska, California, Iowa, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.<\/li>\r\n<li><b>The following states require that voters return absentee ballots before Election Day:<\/b> Louisiana, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Some states have particular rules about when absentee ballots are due. For example,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/oklahoma.gov\/elections\/voters\/absentee-voting.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Oklahoma<\/a>&nbsp;law requires that you return your ballot at least 15 days before an election.<\/p>\r\n<p>You may return your absentee ballot by mail or deliver it by hand. You may also place your ballot in a drop box. In some cases, you may have someone deliver your ballot for you. Be sure you know the rules for ballot delivery by another. In&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/scvotes.gov\/voters\/absentee-voting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">South Carolina<\/a>, for instance, you can&#8217;t deliver another voter&#8217;s absentee ballot.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Absentee Ballots Are Increasingly Popular but Pose Risks<\/h2>\r\n<p>The use of absentee ballots has grown tremendously in recent years. Millions of people enjoy the convenience of voting by mail. But absentee ballots are more likely to be the subject of fraud. If absentee voters aren&#8217;t careful, their votes may not count.<\/p>\r\n<p>Be sure you know the rules and regulations in your state for absentee voting. If you believe election officials have unfairly rejected your application for absentee voting or worry that officials didn&#8217;t count your vote, talk to an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/election-campaign-political-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">election law attorney<\/a>&nbsp;in your area.<\/p>\r\n<h2>You Don&#8217;t Have To Solve This on Your Own \u2014 Get a Lawyer&#8217;s Help<\/h2>\r\n<p>Meeting with a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/election-campaign-political-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">voting rights lawyer<\/a>&nbsp;can help you understand your options and protect your rights.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\n                              stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3418\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"No\"\n                value=\"no\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">No<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-down\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3423)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M16 0.999995H18.67C19.236 0.989986 19.7859 1.18813 20.2154 1.55681C20.645 1.9255 20.9242 2.43905 21 3V10C20.9242 10.5609 20.645 11.0745 20.2154 11.4432C19.7859 11.8119 19.236 12.01 18.67 12H16M9.00003 14V18C9.00003 18.7956 9.3161 19.5587 9.87871 20.1213C10.4413 20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        \n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img 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rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about FindLaw\u2019s newsletters<\/a>, including our terms of use and privacy policy.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"general-list\">\n    <h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n    <ul class=\"fl-list fl-no-margin\">\n                                    <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/my-voting-guide\/voting-during-military-service.html\">\n                        Military Voting Laws\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/my-voting-guide\/voting-abroad-as-a-u-s-citizen.html\">\n         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