Equal Futures

Can voters vote early in-person for legislative elections in OECD countries?

There are a wide range of reasons citizens may be unable or have difficulties going to the polls on election day. This variables includes provisions that allowed for early in-person voting due to distance to the poll, disability, age, illness or hospitalization, safety concerns, religious beliefs, pregnancy or recent birth, travel, caregiving responsibilities, work responsibilities, education responsibilities, imprisonment, or displacement due to natural disasters. Provisions specific to military personnel, voting at overseas consulates, or people aboard ships were not included.

Only for a limited set of 1 - 3 reasons means that early in-person voting is available only in 1 - 3 of the specific circumstances listed above.

Widespread access to early voting for voters who might have difficulty going to the polls on election day means that legislation provided for at least 4 of the specific circumstances listed above or generally made these voting options available using broad language to anyone who cannot appear on election day. For more details on the specific circumstances, see our policy brief.

Universal access to early voting means that all citizens have the right to early in-person.

Countries

Austria - No

Belgium - No

Chile - No

Colombia - No

Costa Rica - No

Czech Republic - No

France - No

Greece - No

Hungary - No

Israel - No

Italy - No

Luxembourg - No

Mexico - No

The Netherlands - No

Poland - No

Slovakia - No

Spain - No

Türkiye - No

United Kingdom - No

United States of America - No

Ireland - Only for a limited set of 1 - 3 reasons

Portugal - Only for a limited set of 1 - 3 reasons

Australia - Widespread access for voters who might have difficulty going to the polls on election day

Japan - Widespread access for voters who might have difficulty going to the polls on election day

Republic of Korea - Widespread access for voters who might have difficulty going to the polls on election day

Lithuania - Widespread access for voters who might have difficulty going to the polls on election day

New Zealand - Widespread access for voters who might have difficulty going to the polls on election day

Slovenia - Widespread access for voters who might have difficulty going to the polls on election day

Canada - Universal access to early voting

Denmark - Universal access to early voting

Estonia - Universal access to early voting

Finland - Universal access to early voting

Germany - Universal access to early voting

Iceland - Universal access to early voting

Latvia - Universal access to early voting

Norway - Universal access to early voting

Sweden - Universal access to early voting

Switzerland - Universal access to early voting