Are absentee voting and mail in voting the same thing

While absentee voting and mail-in voting are often used interchangeably, they are not exactly the same thing. Here's a breakdown of the differences:

Absentee Voting:

• Also known as "absentee ballots" or "absentee voting by mail"
• A voter requests an absentee ballot from their local election office or county clerk's office
• The voter completes the ballot and returns it by mail, fax, or in-person to the election office
• The voter must provide a valid reason for not being able to vote in person, such as being out of town, having a disability, or serving in the military
• The voter's identity and eligibility are verified before the ballot is counted

Mail-In Voting:

• Also known as "vote-by-mail" or "all-mail voting"
• A voter is automatically sent a ballot by mail, without having to request one
• The voter completes the ballot and returns it by mail to the election office
• The voter's identity and eligibility are verified before the ballot is counted
• Mail-in voting is often used in states or jurisdictions that have implemented universal vote-by-mail systems, where all registered voters are automatically sent a ballot

Key differences:

1. Request vs. Automatic: Absentee voting requires a voter to request a ballot, while mail-in voting sends a ballot to all registered voters.
2. Reason for Absence: Absentee voting requires a valid reason for not being able to vote in person, while mail-in voting does not.
3. Verification: Both absentee and mail-in voting require verification of the voter's identity and eligibility before the ballot is counted.

In summary, absentee voting is a process where a voter requests a ballot and returns it by mail, while mail-in voting is a process where all registered voters are automatically sent a ballot and return it by mail. While both methods allow voters to cast their ballots from home, the key differences lie in the request process and the verification requirements.