What is absentee and mail-in voting? Absentee and mail-in voting let people cast their ballots before Election Day, either by mail or through drop boxes. These methods have been around since the late 1800s, helping those away from home or too ill to vote in person. In recent years, especially during the 2020 presidential election, their use has surged. This rise was driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which made many voters wary of in-person voting. Each state has its own rules for absentee voting, with some requiring a valid excuse and others allowing anyone to request a ballot.
Key Takeaways:
- Absentee and mail-in voting have a long history in the US, evolving to include more voters and different methods of returning ballots, with a significant increase in use during the 2020 election due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Partisan differences in voting methods were evident in the 2020 election, with Biden voters more likely to use absentee ballots and Trump voters preferring in-person voting. Concerns about the coronavirus also influenced many voters' decisions to vote by mail.
Historical Context of Absentee Voting
Absentee voting has a rich history in the United States, evolving over time to meet the needs of voters who couldn't make it to the polls on Election Day. Let's dive into some key historical aspects.
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Absentee voting began in the late 1800s to help voters who were away from home or seriously ill on Election Day. This early start laid the groundwork for more inclusive voting practices.
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The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) and the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act expanded voting opportunities for active service members and overseas citizens, ensuring their voices are heard even from afar.
Types of Absentee Voting
Absentee voting and mail-in voting are often used interchangeably, but they have subtle differences. Here's what you need to know.
- Absentee voting and vote-by-mail refer to the same process of casting a ballot before Election Day. The main difference lies in how the ballots are returned: by mail or through designated drop boxes.
State Variations in Absentee Voting
The rules for absentee voting can vary widely from state to state. Understanding these differences is crucial for voters.
- Some states require a valid excuse for not voting on Election Day, while others allow any voter to request an absentee ballot without an excuse. Currently, 28 states and the District of Columbia have no-excuse absentee voting laws.
Increase in Use During the 2020 Election
The 2020 presidential election saw a significant rise in absentee and mail-in voting, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- In 2020, 46% of voters cast their ballots by mail or absentee, up from 21% in 2016. This shift was driven by concerns about in-person voting during the pandemic.
Partisan Differences in Voting Methods
The 2020 election highlighted significant partisan differences in voting methods. Let's explore these trends.
- Biden voters were more likely to use absentee ballots, while Trump voters preferred in-person voting. Biden won the absentee vote in 14 out of 15 states where data was available, while Trump won the in-person vote in 14 out of 15 states.
Voter Turnout and Absentee Voting
Absentee voting has been linked to increased voter turnout, though the effects can vary.
- Early studies suggested a 10% increase in turnout in Oregon, but subsequent research found more modest effects, typically around 2-8 percentage points.
Administrative Issues with Absentee Voting
The expansion of absentee voting has raised concerns about electoral integrity and administrative challenges.
- States have had to adapt their voting systems to handle the increased volume of mail-in ballots, which can lead to delays and discrepancies.
Ballot Return Methods
Voters have several options for returning their absentee ballots. Here's a breakdown.
- About 41% of absentee voters returned their ballots to a designated drop box, while 44% returned them by mail. A smaller percentage (15%) returned their ballots in person to an election official or poll worker.
Timing of Ballot Return
When voters return their absentee ballots can vary, and this timing can impact the election process.
- The majority of absentee voters (76%) reported returning their ballots at least a week before Election Day. Biden voters were more likely than Trump voters to return their ballots early, with 82% of Biden voters returning their ballots at least a week before, compared to 66% of Trump voters.
First-Time Absentee Voters
Many voters used absentee or mail-in voting for the first time in the 2020 election.
- Nearly four-in-ten absentee or mail-in voters (39%) reported never having voted by this method prior to the 2020 election. Biden absentee or mail-in voters were slightly more likely than Trump absentee voters to report not having voted this way in the past (42% vs. 34%).
Wait Times for In-Person Voters
In-person voting wait times can vary, and this can influence voter preferences for absentee voting.
- Among voters who voted in person, 35% reported not waiting in line at all. An additional 27% waited for less than 10 minutes, while one-in-five waited for 10 to 30 minutes. A smaller percentage (11%) waited for 31 minutes to an hour, and 6% waited more than an hour.
Concerns About Voting Methods
Concerns about the coronavirus influenced many voters' decisions to vote by mail.
- About four-in-ten mail voters (42%) cited coronavirus concerns as a major reason for choosing to vote by mail, while only 15% of in-person early voters and 4% of in-person Election Day voters did so.
Encouragement from Trusted Individuals
Encouragement from trusted individuals played a role in voters' choices of voting methods.
- Similar shares of in-person early voters (13%), mail voters (11%), and in-person Election Day voters (8%) reported that encouragement from a person they trusted was a major reason for choosing their voting method.
Pre-Election Preparations
Voters took various steps to ensure they could cast their ballots, with some differences between Biden and Trump voters.
- Nearly half of all voters (48%) checked their voter registration status prior to the election, with 56% of Biden voters and 40% of Trump voters doing so. A majority of Biden voters (54%) also researched their options for voting in person or by mail, compared to 32% of Trump voters.
The Role of Absentee and Mail-In Voting
Absentee and mail-in voting have become essential parts of the US electoral system. These methods, rooted in the late 1800s, have evolved to accommodate a diverse range of voters, including those overseas and in the military. The 2020 election saw a massive increase in mail-in ballots due to COVID-19, highlighting partisan differences and administrative challenges. Despite concerns about electoral integrity, absentee voting has been linked to higher voter turnout. States have had to adapt quickly, investing in new systems and voter education. The future of voting will likely continue to see these methods play a significant role, ensuring more Americans can participate in the democratic process. Addressing the challenges and improving the systems in place will be crucial for maintaining the integrity and accessibility of elections.
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