The VoteAmerica Civic Data API provides state-by-state information about the laws governing elections in the United States. The available fields are listed below. Please see our docs for more information about using the API.
Civic Data API
| Field name | Description | Field format | Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| absentee_access_levels | The highest level of absentee ballot access available to all voters | Single-select | excuse_required, no_excuse, semi_permanent, permanent, universal |
| absentee_ballot_issues | Guidance for voters who signed up for an absentee ballot and now need to vote in person | Markdown | |
| absentee_deadline_in_person | The deadline to request an absentee ballot in person relative to Election Day | Markdown | |
| absentee_deadline_mail | The deadline to request an absentee ballot by-mail relative to Election Day | Markdown | |
| absentee_deadline_online | The deadline to request an absentee ballot online relative to Election Day | Markdown | |
| absentee_directions_mail | Step-by-step directions for requesting an absentee ballot by-mail | Markdown | |
| absentee_directions_online | State-specific directions for requesting an absentee ballot online | Markdown | |
| absentee_process_summary | A short overview for the absentee process | Markdown | |
| absentee_request_methods | List of allowed methods for requesting an absentee ballot | Multi-select | email, fax, in_person, mail, online, phone |
| absentee_request_start_date | Earliest date to request an absentee ballot relative to Election Day | Markdown | |
| absentee_voting_laws | Laws for voting by absentee ballot | Markdown | |
| alerts_absentee | Recent changes related to absentee or mail voting. Generally positive (warnings house negative information). | Markdown | |
| alerts_registration | Recent changes related to registration. Generally positive (warnings house negative information). | Markdown | |
| ballot_curing_directions | The steps a voter must take to cure a ballot that has been rejected | Markdown | |
| ballot_curing_laws_notification_process | How the state will let a voter know about an issue with their ballot | Markdown | |
| ballot_curing_laws_rejection_reasons | A bulleted list of reasons why ballots may be rejected | Markdown | |
| ballot_return_deadline_in_person | The deadline to hand-deliver your absentee or mail ballot relative to Election Day | Markdown | |
| ballot_return_deadline_mail | The deadline return your absentee or mail ballot via USPS relative to Election Day | Markdown | |
| ballot_return_locations | List of allowed locations for returning an absentee or mail ballot (in addition to a mailbox) | Multi-select | drop_box, early_voting_site, local_election_office, polling_place |
| early_voting_ends | When early voting ends relative to Election Day | Markdown | |
| early_voting_starts | When early voting starts relative to Election Day | Markdown | |
| election_protection_phone | The election protection hotline number | Markdown | |
| election_protection_website | The relevant page from 866ourvote.org | URL | |
| emergency_ballot_laws | Circumstances in which an emergency ballot can be obtained. | Markdown | |
| emergency_ballot_request_deadline | Last day to request an emergency ballot | Markdown | |
| emergency_ballot_return_deadline | If specified this is the last day that an emergency ballot can be returned, otherwise the standard VBM deadline is used. | Markdown | |
| felony_laws_restoration_fees | Bulleted list of the type of fees a voter convicted of a felony will have to pay before voting rights can be restored | Markdown | |
| felony_laws_restoration_process | Details on voting rights restoration process for people with felony convictions | Markdown | |
| felony_voting_options | List of situations in which people with felony convictions are allowed to vote | Multi-select | imprisoned, parole, post_sentence, probation |
| fvap_uocava_directions | FVAP url that shows state-specific directions | URL | |
| gov_tool_absentee_request | State absentee ballot request tool | URL | |
| gov_tool_absentee_tracker | State absentee ballot tracker tool | URL | |
| gov_tool_polling_place | State polling place lookup tool | URL | |
| gov_tool_provisional_tracker | State online provisional ballot tracker tool | URL | |
| gov_tool_registration | State online voter registration tool | URL | |
| gov_tool_uocava | Link to a state-specific tool for UOCAVA voters to use. | URL | |
| gov_tool_verify | State tool for verifying registration status | URL | |
| has_automatic_registration | True if automatic voter registration exists | Boolean | |
| has_automatic_vbm | True if all elections are held by mail | Boolean | |
| has_free_ballot_postage | True if the state provides postage for voted ballots | Boolean | |
| has_no_excuse_absentee | True if no excuse is needed to vote absentee | Boolean | |
| has_pav_disabled | True if disabled voters can sign up for permanent VBM | Boolean | |
| has_pav_elderly | True if elderly voters can sign up for permanent VBM | Boolean | |
| has_pav_everyone | True if anyone can sign up for permanent absentee ballots | Boolean | |
| has_preregistration | True if the state allows individuals under 18 to initiate a registration process based on their current age | Boolean | |
| has_sdr_early_voting | State allows same day registration during the early voting period | Boolean | |
| has_sdr_election_day | State allows same day registration on Election Day | Boolean | |
| id_laws_absentee_request | ID requirements for absentee ballot requests | Markdown | |
| id_laws_ballot_return | ID requirements for voted mail-in ballots | Markdown | |
| id_laws_in_person_voting | ID requirements for voting in person | Markdown | |
| id_laws_online_registration | ID requirements for online voter registration | Markdown | |
| id_laws_sdr | ID requirements for SDR and EDR. | Markdown | |
| id_laws_student_voters | Guidance around using a student ID when voting | Markdown | |
| id_type_ballot_return | The type of identification required for returning a voted mail-in ballot | Single-select | notarization, witness_signature, voter_signature |
| id_type_in_person_voting | The type of identification required when voting in person | Single-select | government_photo_id, photo_id, id, hava_only |
| leo_absentee_ballots | Link to local election office contacts for absentee ballot information | URL | |
| leo_overseas_voters | Link to local election office contacts for overseas voter information | URL | |
| leo_voter_registration | Link to local election office contacts for voter registration forms | URL | |
| minimum_age_register | Minimum age to register to vote. If null, the state does not specify and registration is allowed if the person will be 18 by the next major general election | Markdown | |
| nvra_directions_box6 | Directions for Box 6 (ID number) on the National Voter Registration Application | Markdown | |
| nvra_directions_box7 | Directions for Box 7 (choice of party) on the National Voter Registration Application | Markdown | |
| nvra_directions_box8 | Directions for Box 8 (race or ethnic group) on the National Voter Registration Application | Markdown | |
| nvra_submission_address | Address to submit National Voter Registration Application | Markdown | |
| pav_directions_mail | Directions for signing up for permanent absentee voting through mail | Markdown | |
| pav_directions_online | Directions for signing up for permanent absentee voting online | Markdown | |
| pav_signup_methods | The methods available to sign up for permanent absentee voting | Multi-select | online_absentee, online_register, mail_absentee, mail_register, mail_pav |
| pdf_absentee_form | The VoteAmerica URL for the form -- not the state website. | URL | |
| pdf_emergency_ballot_application | Link to emergency ballot application PDF or specific form PDF to have another person retrieve an absentee ballot on behalf of a voter. | URL | |
| pdf_pav_form | The specific PDF used for mail-in permanent absentee voting sign up | URL | |
| pdf_register_form | The VoteAmerica URL for the voter registration form - not the state site | URL | |
| polls_close | Time when polls close on Election Day | Markdown | |
| polls_open | Time when polls open on Election Day | Markdown | |
| registration_deadline_in_person | The deadline to register to vote in person relative to Election Day | Markdown | |
| registration_deadline_mail | The deadline to register to vote by mail relative to Election Day | Markdown | |
| registration_deadline_online | The deadline to register to vote online relative to Election Day | Markdown | |
| registration_directions_mail | Step-by-step directions for registering to vote by mail (only used for states with special procedures) | Markdown | |
| registration_directions_online | State-specific online voter registration directions | Markdown | |
| registration_laws | Voter registration laws | Markdown | |
| registration_methods | List of allowed methods for submitting voter registration | Multi-select | email, fax, in_person, mail, online, phone |
| sdr_locations | SDR locations | Markdown | |
| sos_contact_email | Statewide election email. Generally the SOS. | Markdown | |
| sos_election_website | Statewide election website. Generally the SOS. | URL | |
| sos_phone_number | Statewide election phone number. Generally the SOS. | Markdown | |
| source_absentee_info | Source of our absentee voting info | URL | |
| source_early_voting_info | Source of our early voting info | URL | |
| source_election_code | State election code | URL | |
| source_registration_info | Source of our voter registration info | URL | |
| source_rights_restoration_info | Source of our felon re-enfranchisement info | URL | |
| source_student_voting_info | Source of our info for registering as a college student | URL | |
| source_voter_id_info | Source of our voter ID info | URL | |
| warnings_absentee | Warnings about recent changes related to absentee or mail voting. Generally negative (alerts house positive information). | Markdown | |
| warnings_registration | Warnings about recent changes related to registration. Generally negative (alerts house positive information). | Markdown |