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 by Absentee Ballot if I Work During Voting Hours on Election Day?
Julia Kempner
If your working hours stand between you and the ballot box, you may have other options for voting if you plan ahead.
How to Vote if You Work on Election Day
You have every intention of showing up to cast your ballot in person on Election Day, but unexpected developments at your job prevent you from getting to your voting site while the polls are open. You may have unpredictable work hours, be asked to pick up an extra shift, or need to stay late.
Whatever the case, if there’s a chance your work may interfere with your ability to make it to your polling location, can you still vote? Yes, you may be eligible to vote with a little advanced preparation.
Meet Julia Kempner - Unexpected gig work will not prevent her from voting
Julia Kempner is a certified pro make-up artist based in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to her steady employment in the cosmetic industry, Julia has her own thriving freelance make-up business as well. While her immersion in her artistry is uplifting and fulfilling, her work schedule can be unpredictable.
In her conversation with U.S. Vote Foundation (US Vote), Julia Kempner describes how she manages to vote while juggling her busy work schedule.
US.VOTE
Julia, let’s start off discussing what it’s like to be a make-up artist. What kinds of jobs do make-up artists hold?
Julia Kempner
Hello! Happy to share a little about my experience working as a freelance makeup artist in NYC. Makeup artists, along with other creatives such as photographers, hair stylists, designers, and videographers, often work on gigs that arise suddenly and via connections.
Living in NY means there are many types of gigs that pop up all over the city. These often include in-home appointments, commercial shoots, event makeup applications, bridal applications, makeup for TV/film/music videos, personal shoots, and more.
US.VOTE
This field sounds very engaging with so many types of opportunities. A person could end up working morning, day, and night. Weekdays and weekends. What does your work schedule typically look like - if there is a typical schedule?
Julia Kempner
As a creative freelancer, there’s truly no set schedule! While most bookings are scheduled a bit in advance, some of the most exciting opportunities arise when you least expect, and you have to make yourself available at the drop of a hat! As you mentioned, services may be needed early in the morning or late at night, often due to budget constraints (it’s always cheaper for producers/photographers/clients to book their locations during off-peak hours!)
US.VOTE
What kind of transportation do you use when you’re working in these situations? How far have you needed to travel when you’re freelancing?
Julia Kempner
I travel all over the city for bookings, so the NY MTA is my (often stubborn) friend. Given I live a bit of a walk away from my local stations, my commutes tend to take approximately an hour to and fro the location. Total, that’s usually upwards of 2 hours of commuting per work day.
Many of the highest paying gigs are in surrounding areas like Connecticut and New Jersey, so there are certainly times when I have to leave the city/state unexpectedly for work.
US.VOTE
So not only may you be working a lot of hours or unpredictable hours, you may find yourself at a job site that is far from your polling location. Those combined circumstances could make it tricky for you to be able to vote in person on Election Day.
Is it important to you to vote?
Julia Kempner
Absolutely, getting to my polling location on Election Day is certainly not a guarantee for me. However, I cannot understate how important it is to vote. In a world and at a time when conflicts feel too often out of our hands, exercising the right to vote provides us each an opportunity to make an individual impact on our futures!
US.VOTE
Yes! Voting is indeed such an invaluable tool to shape the direction of our lives.
Voting by absentee ballot may be an option instead of trying to get to your polling place in person on Election Day.
Some states allow folks to vote this way without an excuse, while others require an approved reason. Voters can look up their state’s rules at US Vote. In your case, you can get an absentee ballot if you’ll be out of NYC on Election Day.
If this circumstance applies to you, there are different options for returning your completed ballot. Would you be more likely to drop it off at an early voting site or mail in the ballot?
Julia Kempner
I would definitely check out some of those early voting sites. Given there are so many across the city, there’s bound to be one close or on the way to an upcoming gig! If not though, I’ll certainly always have time to mail it in from home!
Freelancers, gig workers or shift workers with unpredictable work schedules have a lot to gain from US Vote Voter Accounts. Your secure voter account is easy to make and will safely store all your voting information in case you need to apply for an absentee ballot due to your work schedule. You can also sign up for reminders about election dates and deadlines if you don't have time to track this important information.
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