Voting by Mail is Easy, Safe and Secure

Voting by mail is conducted by mail-in ballot before the day of Election Day. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many states across the country are making it easier to vote by mail. All states will mail a ballot to voters if certain conditions are met. The voter may return the ballot in person or by mail. Some states will let voters apply for an absentee ballot in person before Election Day and then vote the ballot that same day.

• Seventeen states require voters to provide an excuse for voting by absentee ballot.

• Twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia offer no-excuse absentee voting.

• Five states have elections that are held by mail-in ballot.

Voting by mail is a safe way for people to cast their ballot amid the pandemic. Recognizing the risks involved in visiting polling places to vote in person amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of Americans have said in recent surveys they would support shifting to a vote-by-mail system for this year’s presidential election. 

Voting by mail is not only safe, but a secure way for voters, especially those who have a long history of voting by mail and have established strong safeguards to prevent improper voting. Five states, Colorado, Utah, Oregan, Washington, and Hawaii that have long history of all-mail elections haven’t seen any significant fraud. Oregon, which started running its elections by mail in 1993, only had 82 felony convictions under its election statutes between 1990 and 2019. 

Every state’s election rules are different and has its own rules for mail-in voting. Visit usa.gov/election-office to find out voting guidance in your state.