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:
- Request required: Voters must request an absentee ballot from their local election office or county clerk.
- Limited time frame: Absentee ballots are typically only available for a specific period, usually a few weeks or months, before an election.
- In-person return: Absentee ballots are usually returned in person to the election office or a designated drop-off location.
- Signature verification: Absentee ballots require the voter's signature to be verified before they can be counted.
Vote-by-Mail (VBM) Ballots:
- Automatic mailing: VBM ballots are automatically mailed to all eligible voters in a specific jurisdiction, usually a county or state.
- No request required: Voters do not need to request a VBM ballot; they will receive one in the mail.
- 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.
- 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.
- Signature verification: VBM ballots also require signature verification before they can be counted.
Key differences:
- Absentee ballots require a request, while VBM ballots are automatically mailed to eligible voters.
- Absentee ballots have a shorter time frame for return, while VBM ballots often have a longer time frame.
- Absentee ballots require in-person return, while VBM ballots can be returned by mail.
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.