Mail and Absentee Voting

Absentee voting began during the Civil War so soldiers could vote, and every state now offers it in some form. Rules vary widely. A handful of states mail a ballot to every registered voter, most let any voter request one, and the rest require an excuse such as illness, travel, or age. Military and overseas voters are covered by a 1986 federal law. Voters typically sign an envelope, and election officials check the signature or other identifying information before counting.

Mail voting surged to about 43 percent of ballots in 2020 during the pandemic and was about 30 percent in 2024, according to the federal Election Assistance Commission. States differ on whether ballots must arrive by Election Day or may arrive later if postmarked on time, whether drop boxes are allowed, and when officials may begin processing ballots. Late processing can slow results in close states. In Watson v. Republican National Committee in June 2026, the Supreme Court held that federal law does not stop states from counting ballots postmarked by Election Day that arrive afterward.

Supporters say mail voting is convenient, raises turnout, and leaves a paper record, and note that studies have found fraud to be rare. Critics say it is harder to secure than in-person voting, that voter rolls are not always current, and that results take longer. A 2026 executive order and a Postal Service rule on mail ballot envelopes and voter lists were challenged in court, and some states have tightened deadlines, drop box rules, and ID requirements while others have expanded mail voting.