What are key dates for 2024 Election Day and early voting?

With the Labor Day weekend just days away, it's time for one last beach getaway, back-to-school preparations, and the presidential election entering a critical phase with only ten weeks until Nov. 5 .

But for some, election season starts early, including in-person voting on Sept. 20 in Minnesota and Virginia. For military and overseas voters, the first batch of presidential ballots must be mailed at least 45 days before an election, and this year, it's Sept. 21.

States with the earliest, early vote periods

According to data compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), these are some states with the earliest option to vote early in person. Some states describe this differently, like "early voting" or "in-person absentee," but NCSL counts it as long as it is available to all voters.

• California - Oct. 7
• Illinois - Sept. 26
• Minnesota - Sept. 20
• Nebraska - Oct. 7
• Pennsylvania - Sept. 16 (may not apply to all counties)
• Vermont - Ballots available at least 45 days before the election
• Virginia - Sept. 20
• Wyoming - Oct. 8

States without early voting

These states do not offer early voting, but may provide other absentee options ahead of Election Day, according to NCSL:

• Alabama
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire

Early voting days around the country

To navigate, click on a state to see its dates or simply scroll through the list. Data has been compiled by NCSL and Ballopedia.org .

Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming

Alabama

• No early voting

Alaska

• Early voting starts Oct. 21

Arizona

• Early voting starts Oct. 9

Arkansas

• Early voting starts Oct. 21

California

• Early voting starts Oct. 7

Colorado

• Early voting starts Oct. 21

Connecticut

• Early voting starts Oct. 21

Delaware

• Early voting starts Oct. 25

Florida

• Early voting starts Oct. 26

Georgia

• Early voting starts Oct. 15

Hawaii

• Early voting starts Oct. 22

Idaho

• Early voting starts Oct. 21

Illinois

• Early voting starts Sept. 26

Indiana

• Early voting starts Oct. 8

Iowa

• Early voting starts Oct. 16

Kansas

• Early voting starts Oct. 16

Kentucky

• Early voting starts Oct. 31

Louisiana

• Early voting starts Oct. 18

Maine

• Varies

Maryland

• Early voting starts Oct. 24

Massachusetts

• Early voting starts Oct. 19

Michigan

• Early voting starts Oct. 26

Minnesota

• Early voting starts Sept. 20

Mississippi

• No early voting

Missouri

• Early voting starts Oct. 22

Montana

• Early voting starts Oct. 7

Nebraska

• Early voting starts Oct. 7

Nevada

• Early voting starts Oct. 19

New Hampshire

• No early voting

New Jersey

• Early voting starts Oct. 26

New Mexico

• Early voting starts Oct. 8

New York

• Early voting starts Oct. 26

North Carolina

• Early voting starts Oct. 17

North Dakota

• Varies

Ohio

• Early voting starts Oct. 8

Oklahoma

• Early voting starts Oct. 30

Oregon

• Varies

Pennsylvania

• Sept. 16

Rhode Island

• Early voting starts Oct. 16

South Carolina

• Early voting starts Oct. 21

South Dakota

• Early voting starts Sept. 20

Tennessee

• Early voting starts Oct. 16

Texas

• Early voting starts Oct. 21

Utah

• Early voting starts Oct. 22

Vermont

• Ballots are available 45 days before the election

Virginia

• Early voting starts Sept. 20

Washington

• Early voting starts Oct. 18

West Virginia

• Early voting starts Oct. 23

Wisconsin

• Early voting starts Oct. 22

Wyoming

• Early voting starts Oct. 8

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund , Kinsey Crowley, Maya Homan

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: What are key dates for 2024 Election Day and early voting?