Absentee / Vote-by-Mail
In our 'Absentee/Vote-by-Mail' category of stories, we explore the experiences of voters who've encountered unique challenges when voting by absentee ballot or with vote-by-mail methods.
US.VOTE and our parent organization, U.S. Vote Foundation, are strong proponents of absentee voting and we provide services to voters seeking to partake in the process. Nevertheless, we are well aware that every voting process can bring new challenges to voters.
In these personal interviews, you'll get a sense of the issues that some voters have faced when navigating the absentee voting process, and how these issues were overcome. These voter stories can help alleviate concerns or address questions you may have had about voting by absentee ballot or by mail.
We invite you to explore the stories of voters who have exercised their fundamental right to vote through these safe, convenient methods.
Is it challenging to get to the polls due to your working hours? If you'll be busy working on Election Day and may need an absentee ballot, you'll relate to Julia's voter story.
As a free lance make-up artist who also holds another position in the cosmetic industry, Julia often cannot predict or schedule her working hours very far in advance. Her employment is subject to the wishes of her clients or the planning of her manager. While she enjoys the vibe of voting in person, Julia also does not want to miss out a voting whether due to opportunity or obligation. Take a look at the factors Julia is considering to see if voting by absentee ballot could be a preferred method for you.
Have you developed health concerns, mobility issues, or vision difficulties as you age? You may want to weigh your voting options as retirees Dave and Jane have.
Similar to Julia, Dave and Jane have enjoyed going to their polling location on Election Day but are planning strategically for the next decade. They are finding out if their state allows seniors to vote by mail or whether their state may require a qualified health condition to use an absentee ballot. Many Americans were introduced to the convenience of widespread voting accommodations such as drop boxes or absentee ballots being mailed to voters without applications during the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020 - and would like to know if these methods continue to be available. Dave and Jane's voting story covers voting over the lifespan and how our civic identities have changed.
Do you second guess voting by absentee ballot or by mail? Beth has been there.
It can be cathartic and reassuring to feed your ballot directly into a voting machine in person on Election Day. You can watch your vote being processed with your own eyes. If you send in your ballot through the mail or by drop box, it sometimes feels like a leap of faith even when you intellectually and experientially know your vote will be counted. But just to be clear - absentee voting is safe, easy, quick and secure - and you can even track your ballot through U.S. Vote Foundation if you like the satisfaction of having "eyes" on the process.
Beth was out-of-state at college and had been planning to vote with an absentee ballot through the mail. She knew absentee ballots are a reliable and excellent option for her, but she just couldn't be sure her envelope would arrive in time as Election Day inched closer. If you have a concern about missing a deadline for absentee voting after requesting a ballot, read about Beth's voting odyssey. And discover whether your state would permit you to vote in person if you have applied to vote by absentee or mail-in ballot.
Educate yourself about mail-in ballots and absentee ballots through these real life experiences to prepare yourself for this flexible option in our increasingly mobile, remote society.
If you have a question about mail-in or absentee voting that we haven't addressed, or would like to share your own voting story with this method of balloting, please reach out to the YES Campaign!
Can I Vote in Person if I Have an Absentee Ballot?
Beth Seymour
You’ve decided you want to vote in person, but you had originally planned to vote with a mail-in or absentee ballot. Will your state let you vote at the polls? Beth Seymour explains how she navigated this process to make sure her voice was heard in an important election.
There are many reasons why you might change your mind about the method you’ll use to cast your vote.
You may have requested an absentee or mail-in ballot for an election but never received it. Or perhaps you completed and mailed your ballot, but you’re worried it won’t arrive at your local election office in time to be counted. It’s also possible you requested an absentee ballot because you expected to be away from your district on Election Day, but now find you’ll be able to vote in person after all.
Are you eligible to vote in person even if you’ve already requested a mail-in ballot? Yes, you may be eligible in some states, although the process and conditions vary by state.
Meet Beth Seymour - She decided to vote in person
Beth Seymour went above and beyond to make sure her first chance to vote in a presidential election would count in 2020, when she wasn’t sure if her absentee ballot would be delivered by her state’s election deadline. In her conversation with U.S. Vote Foundation (US Vote), Beth Seymour describes her actual journey to the ballot box, and why civic participation is so important to her.
US.VOTE
Beth, you are registered to vote in Connecticut where a person must have a qualified excuse to cast an absentee ballot. What was the circumstance that caused you to request an absentee ballot in 2020?
Beth Seymour
I was attending college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at the time.
US.VOTE
How great that you planned ahead to apply for an absentee ballot to vote as a college student. Could you explain how the process progressed from applying, to receiving, to returning your ballot?
Beth Seymour
Prior to the election, I was anxious to ensure I had an absentee ballot secured as I knew I would be at school during the election. Before I left for school in September, I went to town hall and filled out a form to make sure I had an absentee ballot for the Fall.
When I received the ballot in the mail, I carefully filled it out and mailed it back (I even went out and bought stamps to do so!). Although it was not my first time voting, it was my first time filling out an absentee ballot, so I made sure to follow the instructions closely and sign in all the necessary spots.
US.VOTE
Some states offer voters the opportunity to track their ballot, which can be reassuring. Once you sent off your completed ballot in the mail, what made you decide to call your local election office to see if your envelope had arrived?
Beth Seymour
Once I mailed it back in, I was anxious to make sure there were no issues with my vote, and asked my friends if they had received confirmation if their ballot was counted. I was aware there had been issues with funding for the postal service and delayed deliveries due to the pandemic.
One of my friends told me she was concerned as well and had called town hall to confirm they received it from her. She suggested I do the same just to make sure it was received.
US.VOTE
What did you learn when you called your election office?
Beth Seymour
When I called town hall, they transferred me to about four people before someone answered if they received my ballot. The office asked me if I had registered to vote, I confirmed I had been registered to vote since I turned 18 and I had voted in the past.
They asked me if I had even filled out an absentee ballot, I confirmed I had and reported the date I mailed it back in. The election official reported they had no record of this. I responded by saying I still had my explanation of how to fill out the ballot and could show her I received my ballot.
The official told me that if they did not have it, the ballot was obviously lost in the mail and my vote was not counted. I asked if there was anything I could do as it was only a few days before the election, and she told me I would have to vote in person.
I discussed I was at school four hours away and had class, and she told me if I wanted to vote my only option was come back to Connecticut the day of the election and vote in person.
US.VOTE
Upon receiving that information, you had a big decision to make. What variables did you consider when deciding whether to drive to Connecticut to vote in person?
Beth Seymour
I considered trying to register in Pennsylvania but was concerned it was too close to the election.
I debated not voting, but felt very disappointed as I have always been proud of the privilege to vote. I have been educated on the discrepancy in voting in the United States and have always been an advocate for getting out the vote.
I had classes online at this time and we had a mandated Covid testing policy throughout the week at my school. These tests were to promote the safety of students during the height of the pandemic.
The punishment for missing these tests was suspension, which was not something I was willing to risk. I calculated how long it would take me to get home after class and be able to make it back for my test the next day, about four hours home and four hours back.
I knew voting was important to me and I wanted my vote to be counted, so I decided the sacrifice was worth it.
In addition, as it was in the middle of the week I worked to make sure my school work was finished before I left so I could make the trip home without missing assignments.
US.VOTE
Can you describe your actual journey to the ballot box from your college dorm to your hometown polling location?
Beth Seymour
The drive from my hometown to my school is on average around four hours. I had class and school work to finish, so I had to leave my dorm as soon as I could the next day.
I had class early in the morning and left around 10 a.m., making it home to vote around 2 p.m. I had class and mandated testing the next day, so I woke up at 6 a.m. to drive back to my dorm.
US.VOTE
Once you arrived at your election site, what happened when you explained your circumstance?
Beth Seymour
Once I arrived at the polling location, I explained what had happened to the workers and was concerned I was not registered to vote as over the phone they had questioned if I was. The election official told me I was registered and they had no record of my absentee ballot.
US.VOTE
It’s fortunate that they were able to easily check your registration status.
In your case, you were able to cast a regular ballot after having obtained an absentee ballot, but not all voters would have this experience. In some states, voters would have to surrender their absentee ballots or cast provisional ballots. US Vote recommends that voters check out their state’s policies for voting in person after requesting an absentee ballot.
After all of this anticipation and extra effort, how did it feel to cast your ballot and know your vote would count?
Beth Seymour
I feel as though it is an immense privilege to have the right to vote and be able to make a change in this country.
Although there has been deep polarization regarding politics, voting is a constitutional right that should be utilized. Each citizen has a valid opinion and opportunity to express to the government the changes they want to see.
For me, it felt great to make sure my vote was counted. Although I am just one vote, I knew it made a difference. Even though I was disappointed with the circumstances of my lost absentee ballot, I was proud of my willingness to vote and happy to contribute to democracy.
US.VOTE
Your father is a Social Studies teacher who provides civics education to students. How did he react to your perseverance?
Beth Seymour
My parents have always educated me on the importance of voting. Throughout history, women have fought and given their lives for this crucial constitutional right.
My father was very impressed, and felt it demonstrated a strong commitment to democracy. He was ecstatic to see his daughter as a young woman voting in her first presidential election, casting a vote to change history.
In his classes, he gives his students access to register to vote and teaches them the importance of getting the vote out, as well as about the large percentage of the population that does not vote. He was happy to discuss my situation with them and show them that each vote matters, even if there are obstacles getting there.
US.VOTE
In 2024, do you plan to vote with an absentee ballot or in person? Do you have a plan about how to return your ballot?
Beth Seymour
In 2024, I will be voting in person. As much as I have faith that my absentee ballot issue was just bad luck, I am living back at home and have access to a polling location in Connecticut. I encourage voters to continue to vote, either through absentee or in person as each vote makes a difference. The right to vote is a privilege for all, and something we should never take for granted.
US.VOTE
Your enthusiasm is wonderful. This time when you vote in Connecticut, you’ll have the new opportunity to vote during an early voting period, as Connecticut is beginning to implement this method of voting at polling locations. Thank you for sharing your experience, Beth.
Beth Seymour
Thank you.
Voters in Beth Seymour’s circumstance would benefit from several of US Vote’s tools. First, you can request your absentee ballot and track your ballot using US Vote’s services. If you request an absentee ballot but want to vote in person instead, you can check out your state’s policies to make sure you are permitted to do so. If you don’t want to put your ballot in the mail, you can also consider other options your state offers to return your ballot.
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