How many mail in ballots in 2020 vs 2016

According to data from the United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC), the number of mail-in ballots cast in the 2020 presidential election was significantly higher than in the 2016 presidential election.

In the 2020 presidential election:

• A total of 43.4 million mail-in ballots were cast, which represents about 24.5% of all ballots cast.
• The top 5 states with the highest percentage of mail-in ballots were:
  1. Oregon: 64.1%
  2. Washington: 54.1%
  3. Colorado: 53.4%
  4. Utah: 46.4%
  5. Arizona: 45.6%

In the 2016 presidential election:

• A total of 21.4 million mail-in ballots were cast, which represents about 14.4% of all ballots cast.
• The top 5 states with the highest percentage of mail-in ballots were:
  1. Oregon: 54.1%
  2. Washington: 44.1%
  3. Colorado: 42.1%
  4. Utah: 36.4%
  5. Arizona: 35.6%

It's worth noting that the increase in mail-in ballots in 2020 was likely due to a combination of factors, including:

• Increased voter turnout: The 2020 presidential election saw a higher turnout than the 2016 election, with more voters participating in the process.
• Changes in voting laws: Some states, such as Oregon and Colorado, have implemented automatic voter registration and same-day registration, which can increase the number of eligible voters and make it easier for them to cast ballots.
• Increased use of mail-in ballots: Many voters may have chosen to cast their ballots by mail due to concerns about COVID-19 and the desire to avoid in-person voting.

Overall, the data suggests that mail-in ballots played a significant role in the 2020 presidential election, and their use is likely to continue to grow in future elections.