I’ll also second the early voting option (if available). There has been some efforts to limit early voting, either by shortening the window or limiting it to like 2 days a week. But if you have early voting, there’s no reason to put up with the general election day.

Of course, in-person early voting is a safer bet.

Mailing in your ballot puts it at a significantly higher chance of being discarded.

Note that there’s some asterisks on there.

Some of those states require you to get your ballot notarized and/or signed by witnesses. Incidentally this opens the door for voter intimidation since your witness is likely to be a spouse.

Also, you have scenarios like NC where they are trying to retroactively toss ballots that were counted, and mail in opens the door for “something wasn’t quite proper about the ballot, discard it”.

If you absolutely, positively, can not vote in person at all, then try your luck with mail in ballots, but if at all possible vote in person if you want the best chance for your vote to count.