Are vote by mail and absentee ballots the same

While both vote-by-mail (VBM) and absentee ballots allow voters to cast their ballots remotely, there are some key differences between the two:

Absentee Ballots:

  1. Request required: Voters must request an absentee ballot from their local election office or county clerk.
  2. Limited time frame: Absentee ballots are typically only available for a specific period, usually a few weeks or months, before an election.
  3. In-person return: Absentee ballots are usually returned in person to the election office or a designated drop-off location.
  4. Signature verification: Absentee ballots require the voter's signature to be verified before they can be counted.

Vote-by-Mail (VBM) Ballots:

  1. Automatic mailing: VBM ballots are automatically mailed to all eligible voters in a specific jurisdiction, usually a county or state.
  2. No request required: Voters do not need to request a VBM ballot; they will receive one in the mail.
  3. Extended time frame: VBM ballots are often available for a longer period than absentee ballots, sometimes up to several weeks or even months before an election.
  4. Return by mail: VBM ballots are returned by mail to the election office, and voters do not need to go in person to return their ballot.
  5. Signature verification: VBM ballots also require signature verification before they can be counted.

Key differences:

In summary, while both absentee ballots and VBM ballots allow voters to cast their ballots remotely, VBM ballots are a more convenient and accessible option, as they are automatically mailed to eligible voters and can be returned by mail.