Absentee vs mail ballot
Absentee voting and mail-in voting are two common methods of casting a ballot in an election, but they have some key differences:
Absentee Voting:
- Also known as "absentee by mail" or "absentee ballot"
- A voter requests an absentee ballot from their local election office or downloads an application from the state's website
- The voter completes the ballot and returns it to the election office by mail or in person
- Typically, absentee ballots are only available for voters who are 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 or illness that prevents them from voting in person
- Serving in the military or living overseas
- Being a student or working on Election Day
- Absentee ballots are usually counted after the polls close on Election Day
Mail-In Voting:
- Also known as "vote-by-mail" or "all-mail voting"
- A voter is automatically sent a ballot by mail, usually a few weeks before the election
- The voter completes the ballot and returns it to the election office by mail
- Mail-in voting is often used in states that conduct elections entirely by mail, or in jurisdictions that offer it as an option for all voters
- Mail-in ballots are usually counted as they are received by the election office, rather than all at once after the polls close
Key differences:
- Absentee voting typically requires a voter to request a ballot, while mail-in voting sends a ballot to all eligible voters.
- Absentee voting is often used for voters who are unable to vote in person, while mail-in voting is often used to increase voter turnout and make voting more convenient.
- Absentee ballots are usually counted after the polls close, while mail-in ballots are often counted as they are received.
It's worth noting that some states have combined the two methods, offering both absentee and mail-in voting options. In these states, voters may be able to request an absentee ballot or opt to receive a mail-in ballot automatically.