Was there mail in voting in 2016

In the 2016 United States presidential election, some states allowed mail-in voting, also known as absentee voting, but it was not widespread. Here's a breakdown:

• 34 states and the District of Columbia allowed no-excuse absentee voting, meaning voters could request an absentee ballot without providing a reason.
• 16 states required an excuse to vote absentee, such as being out of town on Election Day or having a disability.
• 1 state, North Dakota, did not allow absentee voting at all.

However, even in states that allowed absentee voting, the process was often limited to voters who requested a ballot in advance, and the ballots had to be returned by mail or in person before Election Day.

In 2016, about 21% of eligible voters cast absentee ballots, which is a relatively low percentage compared to other developed democracies. In contrast, some countries with mail-in voting systems, such as Australia and Canada, have much higher turnout rates.

It's worth noting that the 2016 election was the first presidential election in which some states allowed online registration and absentee voting, which may have contributed to a slight increase in absentee voting rates compared to previous elections.

The 2020 presidential election saw a significant increase in mail-in voting, with many states expanding their absentee voting systems and allowing voters to request ballots online. This was largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to concerns about in-person voting and the need for alternative methods to ensure public health and safety.