WRDI Watch

For several years, I lived overseas — which also meant voting from overseas.

I remember how different it felt to cast a ballot when I couldn't simply walk into my neighborhood polling place on Election Day. Getting the ballot, understanding the deadlines, completing everything correctly, and making sure it got where it needed to go were suddenly part of voting itself.

But back then, most of what I worried about was within my control: Did I understand my state's rules? Did I complete everything correctly? Did I leave enough time for my ballot to arrive?

I've been thinking about that experience as I've followed the current fight over mail-in voting. The proposed federal requirements could add a new layer that individual voters can't control: whether their information appears correctly on lists submitted to the USPS and whether their ballot meets the new requirements.

And if there's a problem, the new system would not include a process for notifying the voter or allowing them to appeal. That's a very different kind of uncertainty.

So this week, we're looking at how voting by mail works across the country, what could change, and what voters in several states will be deciding for themselves in November.

I hope you'll find it helpful.

— Julie

In Brief

The current fight over mail voting comes at a consequential moment: about 30% of all ballots nationwide were cast by mail in 2024.

New federal requirements are currently blocked as a fast-moving court fight continues ahead of the November midterms. Changes to the system can matter especially for voters who rely on alternatives to voting at a polling place, including older Americans and people with disabilities. And because women make up a larger share of the electorate — about 91 million women voted in 2024, compared with about 83 million men — changes affecting access to the ballot can have broad implications for women.

Also in November, voters in several states will decide questions that could directly impact rights and protections in their state constitutions. Missouri and Nevada voters will consider measures involving reproductive rights; Nevada and North Carolina have voter identification questions on the ballot; and Virginia voters will decide amendments involving reproductive freedom, marriage equality and voting-rights restoration. Wisconsin voters will consider an amendment addressing government policies involving discrimination and preferential treatment based on race, sex and other characteristics.

Together, these developments underscore something central to understanding voting rights in the U.S.: federal policy matters, but where you live still shapes both how you vote and many of the rights you're voting on.

Featured Posts

Mail-in voting is back before the Supreme Court
New USPS requirements for mail-in voting are blocked for now, but the legal fight isn't over. The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to allow the rules to take effect while the case continues.
Read the full post → Mail-in voting rides roller coaster of court rulings, with more to come

The same federal rules could affect voters differently by state
There is no single American system for voting by mail. We compare Oregon, California, Wisconsin, and Texas to show how the same federal requirements could interact differently with each state's rules—and what voters can do now.
See how the states compare → The federal fight over mail-in voting won't affect women in every state equally

Voters will decide rights questions directly
In several states, voters will decide constitutional amendments involving reproductive freedom, voting access, marriage equality, and other protections. These measures could shape state law well beyond the November election.
See what's on the ballot → Why constitutional amendments matter in 2026

Before November

With Election Day less than two months away, a few things are worth checking as plans for November take shape. VOTE411 is one useful resource for state-specific election information.

Confirm your voter registration and that your name and address are current.
Check for any changes to your state's voting rules, including voter ID, early voting, and absentee or mail voting.
If you plan to vote by mail, note the key deadlines for requesting and returning your ballot.
Take a look at what's on your ballot. In addition to candidates, voters in some states will decide constitutional amendments and other ballot measures this November.
Bookmark WRDI's 2026 Elections Hub for our continuing coverage of the elections and policy questions most likely to affect women's rights.

Track What's Happening in Your State

Women’s rights don’t look the same across the country. Our state pages are updated monthly to help you understand what rights are currently in effect, what's changing, and how policy shifts may impact women where you live.

View State Map