Absentee ballot

In the United States, an absentee ballot is a ballot that the voter receives and (usually) sends through the mail, rather than travelling to a polling place and marking the ballot at a voting booth. (In this context the term "absentee" has no negative connotation.)

Related Topics:
Ballot - Mail

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Typically a voter must request an absentee ballot by mail at least a week before the election occurs. In most states, voters may request "permanent absentee ballot" status, in which the state will send the voter an absentee ballot every time there is an election.

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The voter reads the voter's guide pamphlet and marks his ballot, which may be an optically read ballot marked with a pen or pencil, or may be a punch card ballot. He then mails the ballot to the state, or may bring the ballot in person to a polling place.

Related Topics:
Optically read ballot - Punch card ballot

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Each state has different laws regulating when absentee ballots must be counted, and who does the counting. Most states count absentee ballots on Election Day, though some allow counting to continue for several days after. The last deadline is 10 days after Election day (for Washington, D.C., and for overseas absentee ballots sent to Florida.)

Related Topics:
Washington, D.C. - Florida

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Most other democratic nations also offers absentee ballot for their voters, like Germany or France, etc.

Related Topics:
Germany - France

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See also: Postal voting

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