Are mail in and absentee ballots the same
While mail-in and absentee ballots are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference between the two. Here's a breakdown:
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 voter living overseas
- Having a religious belief that prohibits them from voting on Election Day
To request an absentee ballot, a voter typically needs to fill out an application and provide a valid reason for not being able to vote in person. The ballot is then mailed to the voter, who completes it and returns it to the election office by a specified deadline.
Mail-in Ballot:
A mail-in ballot, on the other hand, is a ballot that is automatically sent to all eligible voters in a particular jurisdiction, usually through a vote-by-mail system. In this system, all voters are registered to receive a ballot by mail, and they can complete and return it by mail or in person.
In a mail-in system, voters do not need to provide a reason for not being able to vote in person, and they do not need to request an absentee ballot. The ballot is simply mailed to them, and they can complete and return it at their convenience.
Key differences:
- Request requirement: Absentee ballots require a voter to request one, while mail-in ballots are automatically sent to all eligible voters.
- Reason for not voting in person: Absentee ballots require a valid reason for not being able to vote in person, while mail-in ballots do not.
- Application process: Absentee ballots require a voter to fill out an application, while mail-in ballots do not require an application.
In summary, while both absentee and mail-in ballots allow voters to cast their ballots from home, the key difference lies in the process and requirements for obtaining the ballot.