Glossary

Mail-in voting

Voting in which ballots are sent to voters' homes and returned by mail or drop box, instead of cast at a polling place.

Also called: vote by mail, universal mail voting, all-mail elections

Mail-in voting, also called vote by mail, is a system in which voters receive and return ballots by mail rather than going to a polling place. A few states, such as Colorado, Oregon, Utah and Washington, conduct elections primarily by mail and send ballots to all registered voters. Others permit any voter to request a ballot, and some require an excuse.

Its use grew rapidly in the 2020 election during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many states expanded access and a large share of voters cast ballots by mail. Security measures include barcoded envelopes, ballot tracking, signature verification and cure processes to fix problems. States differ on how long they accept ballots after Election Day and on drop boxes.

Supporters say it is convenient, boosts participation a little and creates a paper record. Critics, including many Republicans, argue that it relies on accurate voter roll maintenance, increases the risk of undue influence and mishandled or stolen ballots, and slows results. Some states have restricted drop boxes or return deadlines. Support for mail voting has become closely associated with party, though some Republican-leaning states have long used it. Compare absentee ballot and early voting.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Absentee ballot A ballot cast by mail or other means by a voter who will not be at the polling place on Election Day. Ballot harvesting The collection and delivery of completed absentee or mail ballots by someone other than the voter, regulated differently in each state. Signature verification The check in which election officials compare the signature on a mail ballot envelope with the one on file for that voter. Early voting A system allowing voters to cast ballots in person at designated sites during a period before Election Day. Voter roll maintenance The process of updating voter registration lists by removing people who have died, moved or become ineligible.