What’s the Deal With Mail-in Voting?
There’s a lot of talk about “mail-in voting” these days, but what the heck is it?
Mail-in voting has actually been around for some time, dating back to the Civil War, allowing soldiers to vote from the battlefield. Since then, states have expanded their “vote by mail” laws to provide flexibility and provide alternatives to cast a vote in person on Election Day.
There seems to be confusion on whether or not there’s a difference between absentee ballots and mail-in Voting. Here’s how we’ll break it down: automatic mail-in ballot systems and request-required mail-in ballot systems. All states require a request for a ballot to be made by the voter, except for Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Utah, and Colorado, which automatically mail ballots to eligible voters.
Request-Required Mail-in Ballots
States will mail absentee ballots if you request one from your state’s Board of Elections. Most states require you to provide a reason, or an ‘excuse,’ as to why you require an absentee ballot. If you are approved and a registered voter, they will send you an absentee ballot.
Absentee ballots are received when an eligible voter initiates the request and is approved.
Automatic Mail-In Ballots
In Oregon, Washington, Utah, Colorado, and Hawaii, mail-in ballots are automatically sent to eligible voters. This year, due to COVID-19, California, New Jersey, Vermont, Nevada, and Washington, D.C. have issued orders to allow ballots to be automatically sent to registered voters. From there, voters can make the choice if they’d like to vote by mail or in person.
Voting Challenges This Year
With such a big election coming up this fall and concerns of safely voting during a pandemic, mail-in voting has been a hot topic. Choosing to vote by mail allows voters to cast their ballots safely, without worrying about long lines, crowded polling stations, and increased exposure to COVID-19.
There are concerns that mail-in voting will increase voter fraud, but studies have shown that while voter fraud has existed in past elections, it is a very rare occurrence.
Then there’s the issue of reported changes to the US Postal Service: removal of mail collection bins and sorting machines, delayed mail, increased volume, and more. Let’s not forget that voting by mail also comes with its own challenges, pandemic and USPS issues aside.
Here’s Our Take
Whatever’s happening, we need to plan for things to be difficult this election and explore all of our options. We recommend preparing yourself by exploring your state’s mail-in voting options, as well as in-person voting whether it’s early or on Election Day. Plan extra time no matter how you decide to vote.
Check your registration status, register to vote, and look at your state’s voting options at vote.org.
What else can we do to ensure our votes count this November? Stay tuned for posts on the following topics:
How to Prepare Yourself for the Upcoming Election
Why It’s Important to Vote for Local Positions
How to Advocate for Your Preferred Candidates
More Ways to Prepare to Vote
Tell us, will you vote by mail?