Absentee vote vs vote by mail

Absentee voting and vote by mail are two different methods of casting a ballot in an election, but they share some similarities. Here's a breakdown of each:

Absentee Voting:

• Also known as early voting or in-person absentee voting
• Allows voters to cast their ballots in person at a designated location, such as a county election office or polling station, before Election Day
• Typically requires a valid reason for not being able to vote on Election Day, such as being out of town or having a disability
• Ballots are usually filled out in person, and the voter may be required to provide identification and proof of residency
• Absentee voting is often used by voters who are unable to vote on Election Day due to work or travel commitments, or those who need to cast their ballot before Election Day for other reasons

Vote by Mail (VBM):

• Also known as mail-in voting or absentee voting by mail
• Allows voters to receive a ballot by mail and cast their vote from the comfort of their own home
• Voters typically request a ballot by mail or online, and the ballot is sent to them by the election office
• Voters fill out the ballot and return it by mail or in person to the election office
• VBM is often used by voters who prefer to avoid the crowds and lines associated with in-person voting, or those who have mobility issues or other challenges that make it difficult to vote in person

Key differences:

• Absentee voting typically requires a valid reason for not being able to vote on Election Day, while VBM does not have this requirement
• Absentee voting usually requires voters to fill out their ballots in person, while VBM allows voters to fill out their ballots at home
• VBM ballots are typically returned by mail or in person, while absentee voting ballots may be returned by mail, in person, or by fax or email (depending on the jurisdiction)

In recent years, many states have expanded their vote-by-mail programs, and some have even switched to all-mail elections. This has led to increased voter turnout and convenience for voters. However, absentee voting and VBM have their own set of challenges and controversies, including concerns about ballot security, voter fraud, and the potential for disenfranchisement of certain groups of voters.