Definition of absentee ballot

The term "absentee ballot" originated in the United States during the early 19th century as a way for voters who were unable to physically go to the polls on Election Day to still have their say. The term "absentee" comes from the fact that these voters were, in essence, "absent" from the polling place on the day of the election. The earliest versions of absentee ballots were used by military personnel serving overseas during times of war. In 1864, during the Civil War, the New York Legislature passed a law authorizing the use of absentee ballots for soldiers serving outside the state. This move was seen as a way to ensure that military personnel, who were often unable to return home to vote, could still participate in the democratic process. The use of absentee ballots expanded beyond the military in the late 19th century as more people moved to urban areas and found it increasingly difficult to take time off work to vote. By the early 1900s, most states had enacted laws allowing certain categories of voters, such as the sick, disabled, and those traveling on Election Day, to vote by mail using absentee ballots. Today, absentee ballots are widely used in elections across the United States. While some states still require voters to provide a specific reason, such as being ill or out of town, for requesting an absentee ballot, others have adopted more lenient absentee voting laws in recent years, allowing any registered voter to vote by mail without providing a reason. This move has been seen as a way to increase voter turnout and ensure that all eligible voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots, regardless of any obstacles that may prevent them from being physically present at the polls on Election Day.