Are absentee and mail in voting different

In the United States, "absentee voting" and "mail-in voting" are often used interchangeably, but there are some subtle differences between the two:

Absentee Voting:

• Typically, absentee voting is a process where a voter requests a ballot by mail or in person, usually due to a specific circumstance, 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 away from home
• The voter must request an absentee ballot application from their local election office, fill it out, and return it to the office before a certain deadline.
• The voter then receives an absentee ballot, which they complete and return to the election office by mail or in person.

Mail-in Voting:

• Mail-in voting, also known as "vote-by-mail" or "all-mail voting," is a process where all eligible voters in a jurisdiction are automatically sent a ballot by mail, usually for a specific election or a certain period.
• In mail-in voting, voters do not need to request a ballot; instead, they receive one in the mail and can complete and return it by mail or in person.
• Mail-in voting is often used in states or localities that want to increase voter turnout, reduce lines at polling stations, or make voting more convenient.

Key differences:

• Absentee voting is typically used for specific circumstances, while mail-in voting is a broader process that applies to all eligible voters.
• Absentee voting requires a voter to request a ballot, while mail-in voting sends ballots to all eligible voters automatically.
• Absentee voting often has specific deadlines and requirements, while mail-in voting may have more flexible deadlines and procedures.

It's worth noting that some states and localities use a combination of both absentee and mail-in voting, or have their own unique voting systems.