How many mail ballots
The number of mail ballots, also known as absentee ballots, can vary significantly depending on the country, state, or locality. Here are some general statistics and estimates:
United States:
- In the 2020 presidential election, over 65 million mail ballots were cast, which is about 25% of all votes cast. (Source: Pew Research Center)
- In the 2018 midterm elections, approximately 40 million mail ballots were cast, which is about 20% of all votes cast. (Source: Pew Research Center)
- According to the National Association of Secretaries of State, in 2020, 37 states and the District of Columbia allowed no-excuse absentee voting, which means that any registered voter can request a mail ballot without providing a reason.
Canada:
- In the 2019 federal election, approximately 2.5 million mail ballots were cast, which is about 5% of all votes cast. (Source: Elections Canada)
- In the 2018 Ontario provincial election, about 1.2 million mail ballots were cast, which is about 10% of all votes cast. (Source: Elections Ontario)
European Union:
- In the 2019 European Parliament elections, mail ballots were used in several countries, including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. The exact number of mail ballots cast is not publicly available, but it's estimated to be in the millions.
- In the 2017 German federal election, about 1.5 million mail ballots were cast, which is about 2% of all votes cast. (Source: Federal Returning Officer)
Other countries:
- In Australia, mail ballots are used for federal elections, and in 2019, about 1.2 million mail ballots were cast, which is about 5% of all votes cast. (Source: Australian Electoral Commission)
- In the United Kingdom, mail ballots are used for local elections, and in 2018, about 1.1 million mail ballots were cast, which is about 10% of all votes cast. (Source: Electoral Commission)
Please note that these numbers are estimates and may not reflect the most up-to-date figures. Additionally, the use of mail ballots can vary significantly between countries, states, and localities, and these statistics are meant to provide a general idea of the scope of mail ballot usage.