2020 mail in voting
The 2020 United States presidential election was the first presidential election in which mail-in voting was widely used. Here are some key facts about mail-in voting in the 2020 election:
Mail-in voting laws: Before the 2020 election, 34 states and the District of Columbia allowed some form of mail-in voting, while 16 states did not. However, many states expanded their mail-in voting laws in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mail-in voting rates: According to data from the United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC), an estimated 43% of voters cast their ballots by mail in the 2020 general election, up from 21% in 2016.
States with high mail-in voting rates: The top 5 states with the highest mail-in voting rates in 2020 were:
- Oregon (71.4%)
- Washington (64.1%)
- Colorado (62.1%)
- Utah (59.4%)
- Hawaii (58.4%)
Challenges and controversies: Despite the increased use of mail-in voting, there were some challenges and controversies surrounding the process. These included:
- Mail-in ballot rejection rates: Some states had high rates of mail-in ballot rejections, which could disenfranchise voters. For example, in Arizona, 17% of mail-in ballots were rejected, while in Texas, 12% were rejected.
- Voter ID requirements: Some states required voters to provide identification with their mail-in ballots, which could be a barrier for some voters.
- Ballot harvesting: In some states, third-party groups were allowed to collect and submit mail-in ballots on behalf of voters, which raised concerns about voter fraud.
Impact on election outcomes: Mail-in voting had a significant impact on the outcome of the 2020 election. In some states, mail-in ballots helped to swing the election in favor of Democratic candidates. For example, in Arizona, mail-in ballots helped to flip the state from a narrow Trump victory in 2016 to a narrow Biden victory in 2020.
Lessons learned: The 2020 election highlighted the need for states to improve their mail-in voting systems and to address the challenges and controversies surrounding the process. Some of the lessons learned include:
- The importance of clear and consistent voting laws and regulations
- The need for adequate funding and resources to support mail-in voting
- The importance of voter education and outreach to ensure that voters understand the mail-in voting process
- The need for states to address issues related to ballot rejection rates and voter ID requirements.