In nearly all US states, voters can now track the status of their absentee and mail-in ballots, with the exception of Missouri, Illinois, Wyoming, and Washington. With millions turning to mail-in voting in the 2024 election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, monitoring tools have become a valuable resource. As of November 3, roughly 34.4 million of the more than 67 million requested mail-in ballots have already been returned, per data from the University of Florida.
Incidents like a batch of sealed ballots accidentally falling from a van in Miami and ballot drop boxes set on fire in Washington and Oregon have heightened concerns.
How Long Does Vote Counting Take?
Voting for the presidential election closes at 6 pm Tuesday (4:30 am Wednesday IST). However, ballot counting can take days or even weeks, particularly in states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, where regulations delay mail-in ballot processing until election day. Media outlets typically rely on preliminary results for projections on election night, while official results come only after all ballots are fully counted.
Tracking Your Ballot
Most states now offer ballot tracking tools. Voters in Missouri, Illinois, Wyoming, and Washington, however, don’t have these online tools. Tracking services allow voters to see if their ballot has been received and accepted, reducing calls to election offices and boosting confidence in the voting process.
Tools like Vote.org provide tracking access in 47 states, along with resources for those interested in provisional ballot information.
How to Check Your Ballot’s Status
Each state has a unique tracking system; some states offer basic tracking, while others have advanced tools like BalloTrax or Enhanced Voting, which notify voters via email, text, or phone as their ballot progresses. Voters can also use USPS’s Informed Delivery to preview incoming mail.
For voters without internet access, local election offices provide tracking information directly. Wyoming voters, for instance, can track their ballot by contacting their county clerk’s office.
