US Election 2012: Early Voting, Absentee Ballot Dates and Deadlines Ahead Nov. 6 National Election Day

U.S. President Barack Obama celebrates with first lady Michelle Obama after accepting the 2012 U.S Democratic presidential nomination during the final session of Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 6, 2012.
(Photo : Reuters/Jim Young)

With the 2012 presidential election several weeks away, what some people might not know is voting is available up to a month in advance.

According to the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), early voting means prior to the Nov. 6 Election Day. A person, if eligible, can vote in person at an election office or designated location and doesn't need to provide an excuse to why they prefer voting ahead of the Nov. 6 date.

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There is also the absentee vote and the deadlines to request it in case a voter is unable to make it to an Election Day poll.

If you have questions, find your local election official and office, you can click here to find the nearest near you.

Early Voting Timeframe:

Alaska: Oct. 22 to Nov. 6

Arizona: Oct. 11 to Nov. 2

Arkansas: Oct. 22 to Nov. 5

California: Oct. 8 to Nov. 6

Colorado: Oct. 22 to Nov. 2

Washington D.C.: Oct. 22 to Nov. 3

Florida: Oct. 27 to Nov. 4

Georgia: Oct. 15 to Nov. 2

Hawaii: Oct. 23 to Nov. 3

Idaho: Sept. 21 to Nov. 2

Illinois: Oct. 22 to Nov. 3

Indiana: Oct. 9 to Nov. 5

Iowa: Sept. 27 to Nov. 5

Kansas: Oct. 17 to Nov. 5

Louisiana: Oct. 23 to Oct. 30

Maryland: Oct. 27 to Nov. 1

Montana: Oct. 9 to Nov. 5

Nebraska: Oct. 1 to Nov. 5

Nevada: Oct. 20 to Nov. 2

New Mexico: Oct. 9 to Nov. 3

North Carolina: Oct. 18 to Nov. 3

North Dakota: Oct. 22 to Nov. 5

Ohio: Oct. 2 to Nov. 2

Oklahoma: Nov. 2 to Nov. 5

South Dakota: Sept. 21 to Nov. 6

Tennessee: Oct. 17 to Nov. 1

Texas: Oct. 22 to Nov. 2

Utah: Oct. 23 to Nov. 2

Vermont: Sept. 24 to Nov. 5

West Virginia: Oct. 24 to Nov. 3

Wisconsin: Oct. 22 to Nov. 2

Wyoming: Sept. 27 to Nov. 5

States not mentioned did not list their dates.

Absentee Ballot Request Deadline:

Alaska: Nov. 1

Arizona: Nov. 6

Arizona: Oct. 26

Arkansas: Oct. 5

California: Oct. 30

Colorado: Nov. 2

Connecticut: Nov. 5

Delaware: Nov. 5

Washington D.C.: Oct. 30

Florida: Oct. 31

Georgia: Nov. 6

Hawaii: Oct. 30

Idaho: Oct. 31

Illinois: Nov. 5

Indiana: Oct. 29

Iowa: Nov. 5

Kansas: Nov. 2

Kentucky: Oct. 30

Louisiana: Nov. 2

Maine: Nov. 1

Maryland: Oct. 30

Massachusetts: Nov. 5

Michigan: Nov. 3

Minnesota: Nov. 5

Mississippi: Nov. 3

Missouri: Nov. 5

Montana: Nov. 5

Nebraska: Oct. 31

Nevada: Oct. 30

New Jersey: Oct. 30

New Mexico: Nov. 2

New York: Nov. 5

North Carolina: Oct. 30

North Dakota: Nov. 5

Ohio: Nov. 3

Oklahoma: Oct. 31

Pennsylvania: Oct. 30

South Dakota: Nov. 6

Tennessee: Oct. 30

Texas: Oct. 30

Utah: Nov. 2

Vermont: Nov. 5

Virginia: Nov. 3

West Virginia: Oct. 31

Wisconsin: Nov. 1

Wyoming: Nov. 5

According to NASS, Elections in Oregon and Washington are conducted by mail.

The early voting, although not new, has received criticism this year as the presidential elections do not begin start until Oct. 3.