US elections 2024: what is early voting, and who can do it?
The US election is underway, and by November 5th, millions will have already voted. Many will have cast their ballots early by mail, at in-person voting locations, or through secure drop boxes. Early and absentee voting offers flexibility, allowing voters to avoid bad weather, long lines, or unforeseen scheduling issues on election day.
What is early voting?
In nearly every state—except for Mississippi, New Hampshire, and Alabama—voters can cast their ballots in person before election day, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Registered voters in these states can go to a polling location during the early voting period. Most states begin counting these ballots on election day, though some wait until the polls close. Additionally, some states offer “in-person absentee” voting, where voters can fill out and submit absentee ballots at polling places ahead of time.
What about absentee voting?
Most states offer absentee voting, where voters request a ballot in advance, which is then mailed to them. Voters can return their completed ballots either by mail or to secure drop boxes. In 14 states, voters need to provide an excuse, such as illness or a scheduling conflict, to vote by mail. In contrast, eight states conduct “all-mail” elections, where all registered voters receive a ballot by mail, regardless of their intent to vote that way.
Federal law mandates that absentee ballots be provided to military personnel and overseas voters. States regulate the processing and counting of absentee ballots, with most states verifying voter signatures before election day. However, some states wait until election day to begin processing ballots, which can delay results.
When do early and absentee voting begin, and how can I participate?
Some states, including Wisconsin and Maryland, have already sent out the first ballots of the general election. In Alabama, some eligible voters have also received theirs. A legal challenge in North Carolina over Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s potential candidacy has delayed mail voting there. By September 21, many states will have started distributing absentee ballots.
The specific details of early and absentee voting, including dates and locations, vary by state and even by locality. Voters should ensure they are registered and check with their local election offices or their websites for guidance.
Does voting by mail favour one political party?
Prior to 2020, research indicated that mail-in voting did not advantage either party. However, during the pandemic in 2020, Democrats pushed for mail-in voting to reduce COVID-19 risks and sought to expand access to absentee voting. Meanwhile, then-President Donald Trump falsely claimed mail-in voting was fraudulent, which likely discouraged many Republican voters from using that option.
In the 2020 election, data from The Guardian and ProPublica showed that Democrats gained in counties where mail-in voting was used. Following the 2022 midterms, where Democrats exceeded expectations, Republicans began encouraging their voters to embrace mail-in voting, although Trump continues to express opposition.
Is voting by mail safe?
Voting by mail is widely considered secure, with incidents of fraud being extremely rare. Elections expert Rick Hasen reported that between 2000 and 2012, there were fewer than 500 cases of mail-in voting fraud out of billions of votes cast. The Brennan Center for Justice notes that mail-in voting fraud is even rarer than being struck by lightning.
While mail-in voting is secure, some election officials have raised concerns about postal delays, which could prevent valid ballots from being counted if they arrive late.
