Definition

Noun: A ballot that is completed and submitted by a voter who is unable to be physically present at their designated polling station on an election day. This is typically done by mail in advance.

Usage

An absentee ballot is used to allow eligible voters to participate in an election when they cannot vote in person. This is common for voters who are traveling, living abroad, serving in the military, or have an illness or disability.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "to cast an absentee ballot": The act of formally submitting one's vote via this method.
  • Thousands of military personnel overseas will cast their absentee ballots this year.

Variants and Related Words

• Absentee voting (n): The broader process or system of voting by absentee ballot.
  • The state has expanded access to absentee voting.

Synonyms

• Mail-in ballot
• Postal vote
• Absent vote

Notes

While often used interchangeably with "mail-in ballot," the term "absentee ballot" traditionally implies the voter will be "absent" from their polling place. In some jurisdictions, all voters may be allowed to vote by mail, a system sometimes called "universal mail-in voting," which is a related but distinct concept.

Noun

1. (election) a ballot that is cast while absent (usually mailed in prior to election day)