The pandemic has changed the most important act in our democratic process—voting. While absentee and mail-in ballots have been available in the past, this election will likely see those options used more than ever before.

For voters, this can raise new questions. While in-person voting locations will be up and running on Election Day, most voters will receive a ballot in the mail, and the politicization of mail-in voting has cast a sort of fog over the process. Here’s what voters should know going into Election Day.

Who can register to vote?

Nevada law provides that you must be 18 or over, a U.S. citizen and a resident of Nevada for 30 days preceding any election. If you will be 18 years old or will have met the residency requirement at the time of the election, you are also eligible to register to vote. Any person who has been declared by a court to be mentally incompetent is not eligible to register or vote. Per the 2019 Legislature, voting rights are now restored immediately for those convicted of felonies upon their release from prison.

What are the registration deadlines to vote in this election?

By mail: Postmarked by October 6.

In person: October 6.

Online: October 29.

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

Nevada voters can register to vote—or update existing voter registration information—in person at a polling location during early voting or on Election Day. Same-day registrants are required to present a Nevada driver’s license to register.

Where online Can I register to vote?

At the Nevada Secretary of State website, nvsos.gov/sosvoterservices/Registration/Step0.aspx. A valid Nevada driver’s license or Nevada ID is required to register online.

When does early voting take place? From October 17 through October 30, at 35 locations across Clark County. More than 100 voter centers will be open across the Valley on Election Day.

If I’m unable to go to the polls early or on Election Day, how else can I vote?

Due to the pandemic, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak has directed election officials to automatically send mail-in ballots to all active registered voters for the general election. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day. A prepaid postage envelope will be provided with the ballot. Alternatively, you may hand-

deliver your ballot to a drop-off location at any early voting or Election Day poll site.

When will my mail-in ballot arrive?

The arrival date depends on the county. In Clark County, sample ballots will begin going out on September 25, while the official ballots will begin going out on October 7.

Sample ballots went out early in some rural counties. By September 17, Churchill, Douglas, Esmeralda, Humboldt, Storey and Lincoln counties had already sent out sample ballots.

Do I need to do anything to receive my mail-in ballot? Nothing besides register to vote. While the U.S. Postal Service has sent out a postcard detailing steps needed to receive a mail-in ballot, active Nevada voters will receive mail-in ballots automatically.

How do I make sure my mail-in ballot will count?

Closely follow all instructions to ensure your ballot is counted. Be sure to sign the declaration on the return envelope, then seal inner and outer envelopes.

What can I expect if I want to vote in person?

If you decide to vote in person rather than by mail, you’ll need to do one of the following:

If you have your mail-in ballot, surrender it to an election official at the voting site (preferably in the packet sent to you).

OR

If you do not have your mail-in ballot, you can sign an affirmation at the voting site, swearing that you have not already voted in the current election and that you understand no one may attempt to vote or actually vote more than once in the same election.

How does ballot collection work?

The election bill that implemented automatic mail-in ballots also expanded options for turning in ballots on behalf of voters. While previously only family members could turn in ballots for another person, starting with the November election, ballots can be turned in by anyone, as long as they are turned in within three days of receipt by that person.

At a September 17 town hall event, Clark County Registrar of Voters Joe Gloria urged voters to be smart about trusting others with their ballots: “To make it easier for folks to get that ballot back to us, if they choose not to themselves or cannot do it themselves, they want to make a wise decision on who they give that ballot to.”

What if I’m a Nevada resident living out of state?

You can request an absentee ballot until October 20.

Can I vote after Election Day?

No. Though President Donald Trump has claimed that Nevada’s laws would allow voters to cast ballots after Election Day, that isn’t true. All mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day to be counted. Mail a ballot in on November 4, and it won’t count.

If a city or county clerk is unable to determine the postmark on the ballot, but the ballot arrived no later than 5 p.m. three days after the election, it can be counted.

When can we expect results?

Unofficial results will be released on the night of the election, but official results won’t be released until November 16, according to Gloria.

How can I follow the results on election night?

The Secretary of State office will provide election night returns at silverstateelection.nv.gov.