Definition of postal ballot

The term "postal ballot" originated during the 19th century as a way for people to participate in elections without physically attending polling stations. The first recorded use of the term can be traced back to 1843, when Sir Francis Bacon suggested the idea of a postal ballot system in his work "Essays". Although the idea didn't become reality at the time, the concept gained momentum in the following decades. In the UK, the postal ballot was initially used for local elections in 1868, and was later introduced for national elections in 1872. The system required voters to request a ballot paper by post, which they could then complete and return in a prepaid envelope. This allowed citizens who couldn't attend polling stations due to location, illness or other reasons to participate in the democratic process. The term "postal ballot" itself is a simple combination of two words - 'post', which refers to the mail service, and 'ballot', which originates from the Latin word 'ballota', meaning 'pebble' or 'ball'. In the context of elections, it came to represent a secure and confidential way for voters to cast their ballots by mail. Today, postal ballots are used in various countries around the world to facilitate elections and increase voter turnout. They have become an important part of the democratic process, particularly in the current climate where social distancing and remote voting have gained prominence due to the pandemic.