This component explores the similarities and differences between two systems that allow Americans to vote without going to a traditional polling place: absentee voting and vote-by-mail elections. While both methods expand access to the ballot, particularly for voters who cannot be present on Election Day, their structure, eligibility rules, and implementation vary across the country.
Absentee voting has a long history in the United States, beginning during the Civil War, when soldiers were granted the ability to vote from the field, which was discussed in the previous component. Over time, many states developed procedures that allowed civilians to vote absentee, initially requiring voters to provide a valid excuse, such as illness, travel, or disability. In recent decades, a majority of states have adopted “no-excuse absentee voting,” where any registered voter can request a mail-in ballot without needing to give a reason.
In contrast, vote-by-mail elections are a more recent innovation. In these states, every registered voter automatically receives a ballot by mail before each election, no application required. Voters typically have several options for returning their completed ballots:
- By mail (often with prepaid postage)
- By placing it in a secure ballot drop box
- By returning it to an election office or early voting location
Even in vote-by-mail states, in-person voting options remain available, often through early voting centers or limited polling sites on Election Day.
Movement Advancement Project. "Vote by Mail Elections." https://www.mapresearch.org/democracy-maps/mail_voting_states.
Movement Advancement Project. "Availability of No-Excuse Absentee Voting." https://www.mapresearch.org/democracy-maps/absentee_requirements.
Discussion & Map Exploration Prompts:
- What do absentee voting and vote-by-mail elections have in common? How do they differ?
- How might mail-based voting systems help expand access in rural or under-resourced communities?
- What challenges might arise when most or all voting is conducted by mail?
- How do state-by-state voting laws shape voter participation across the country?
Exercises for This Component
These exercises are designed to help students think critically about how absentee voting and vote-by-mail systems work, how they differ from one another, and how voting access and security vary across state lines. Through map analysis, comparative research, and reflection, students will explore the implications of how Americans cast their ballots.
Exercise 1: Understanding the Differences
After reading about absentee voting and vote-by-mail systems, take a moment to reflect on the similarities and differences between the two. In your own words, explain how these systems are alike and how they differ. Consider questions like: Who receives a ballot automatically? Who needs to request one? Are voters required to give a reason in either system? Is in-person voting still an option?
You may choose to write a short paragraph comparing the systems or use a Venn diagram to visually show the overlap and distinctions between absentee voting and vote-by-mail elections.
Exercise 2: Exploring the Map
Now that you understand the two systems, examine the national map of absentee and vote-by-mail policies provided in this lesson. Select three states that conduct vote-by-mail elections, three that offer no-excuse absentee voting, and three that still require a legal excuse. What trends do you notice based on region, size, or political climate?
Write a brief response summarizing your observations. Consider why some states may have adopted broader voting access while others have not. Think about factors like geography, population size, or historical voting patterns.
Exercise 3: Case Study Comparison
Choose two states with contrasting voting systems, one that automatically mails ballots to all registered voters (like Colorado or Oregon) and one that requires voters to apply and provide a legal excuse to vote absentee (like Texas or West Virginia). Research and compare how each state handles mail-in voting.
As you conduct your comparison, look for information about who qualifies for absentee voting, how ballots are distributed and returned, whether in-person voting is still offered, and what public debates have emerged in those states. You may present your findings in a brief report, visual chart, or short slideshow to share with the class.