Absentee ballot vs mail in
In the United States, "absentee ballot" and "mail-in ballot" are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between the two.
Absentee Ballot:
An absentee ballot is a ballot that is cast by a voter who is unable to vote in person on Election Day due to a valid reason, such as:
- Being out of town on Election Day
- Having a disability that prevents them from voting in person
- Being a member of the military or a civilian living overseas
- Being a student or worker away from home on Election Day
To request an absentee ballot, voters typically need to fill out an application and provide a valid reason for why they cannot vote in person. The application is usually submitted to the voter's local election office, and the ballot is then mailed to the voter.
Mail-In Ballot:
A mail-in ballot, on the other hand, is a ballot that is automatically sent to all registered voters in a particular jurisdiction, usually through a vote-by-mail system. In this system, voters do not need to request an absentee ballot or provide a reason for not being able to vote in person. Instead, they simply receive a ballot in the mail and can vote from the comfort of their own home.
In some states, mail-in ballots are also referred to as "all-mail" or "vote-by-mail" elections. In these systems, all voters are automatically registered to vote by mail, and ballots are sent to all eligible voters.
Key differences:
- Requesting a ballot: With an absentee ballot, voters need to request a ballot and provide a valid reason for not being able to vote in person. With a mail-in ballot, voters do not need to request a ballot, as they are automatically sent one.
- Reason for not voting in person: With an absentee ballot, voters need to provide a valid reason for not being able to vote in person. With a mail-in ballot, voters do not need to provide a reason.
- Automatic registration: In some states with mail-in ballots, all eligible voters are automatically registered to vote by mail. In states with absentee ballots, voters need to register to vote and then request an absentee ballot.
In summary, while both absentee ballots and mail-in ballots allow voters to cast their ballots from home, the key differences lie in the process of requesting a ballot, the reason for not voting in person, and the automatic registration process.