Voting by Mail — FAQ
- Apr 22
- 5 min read
“Political structures and electoral systems should be designed to maximize participation of and provide equitable access to all citizens in a society.”
Prior to the 2020 election, which took place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, most voters likely gave little thought to voting by mail. In some states, voting by mail was already the practice. But faced with a public health emergency, many states moved quickly to expand access to mail voting.
While many voters were using mail-in ballots for the first time, some public officials began to question the legitimacy and security of by-mail voting. In the years following the 2020 election, voting by mail has remained a subject of public debate — even though available data indicates that voting by mail is safe and secure, and millions of Americans vote using mail-in ballots. As voters prepare for upcoming elections, it is important to understand the past and present landscape of voting by mail.
When did voting by mail begin in the U.S., and how has it changed over time?
Many states created systems to collect and record the ballots of soldiers during the Civil War. This practice continued as states tried to accommodate soldiers away from home. In fact, during World War II, more than three million voters cast their ballots by mail.
In the late 1800s, states began passing laws that allowed civilians who were seriously ill or away from home to vote by absentee ballot. For most of the 20th century, voters were required to provide a reason for not being able to vote on Election Day in order to vote by mail. In 1978, California became the first state to allow people to vote by mail without listing an excuse for their absence or belonging to the military. Since then, the number of Americans who vote by mail has increased exponentially. In 2016, 21% of voters voted by mail. That number increased to 43% in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most recent census data, from 2024, shows a vote-by-mail rate of 29%.
Who sets the rules and administers mail-in voting?
The states and elections clause in Article I of the Constitution stipulates that states are responsible for administering elections:
“The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.”
— U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 4, Clause 1
States have long borne the multi-faceted responsibilities required to plan, secure, administer, and record election results. The Supreme Court has has defined this authority given to states as the ability “to enact the numerous requirements as to procedure and safeguards which experience shows are necessary in order to enforce the fundamental right involved.” Each state varies in its voting policies and procedures, so it becomes imperative for individuals to discover the particulars for their state of residence.
What are the types of mail-in voting?
Universal mail-in voting refers to a procedure where every registered voter in the state receives a ballot in the mail and has the option to return it the same way. Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Vermont, Hawaii, and the District of Columbia all participate in universal mail-in voting.
Absentee or “no excuse” voting is available in most other states and allows voters who cannot or do not want to vote in person to request a mailed ballot without offering a reason or “excuse.” States differ in their management and deadlines of absentee ballots, so it is important for individuals to consult their state policies well in advance of an upcoming vote.
Legal excuse absentee voting restricts mail-in voting to those with a valid reason to not vote in person.
Overseas military service members who vote are protected by the Uniformed and Overseas Civilian Absentee Voter Act (UOCAVA) and the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE). These laws secure programs and services that provide education, assistance, and protection for military-connected voters, allowing them to vote “from” their permanent home states while stationed overseas.
What laws or court decisions could shape mail-in voting for the next election?
Most laws concerning election administration, including laws governing mail-in voting, are state laws. The best course of action before voting is to consult the Voting Rights Lab or another trusted source to search for voting policies and procedures specific to your state. State laws can change, so be sure to note current deadlines and be aware of court cases that might change voting rules or requirements.
Also, consider following this court case and executive order:
Watson v. RNC (2026): This spring, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in a case challenging a Mississippi law allowing mail-in ballots postmarked on Election Day but received during a late grace period to be counted. If the court rejects Mississippi’s law, other states with laws allowing election officials to count late-arriving ballots could also be impacted by the court’s decision.
Executive order “ensuring citizenship verification and integrity in federal elections” (2026): In March, President Trump issued an executive order seeking to change the ways states conduct voting by mail. In part, the order:
Directs USPS to make rules regulating the design of mail ballot envelopes
Proposes that states create lists of voters permitted to vote by mail or absentee, which must be shared with USPS no later than 60 days before an election
Directs USPS to create a “mail-in and absentee participation list” for each state and deliver ballots only to persons whose names appear on the list
Multiple states and voting rights organizations have filed lawsuits challenging the president’s order.
What are some of the benefits of universal mail-in voting?
Convenience
Costs less for the individual, in terms of transportation or time off work
Avoids disruption for businesses, as employees do not require time off
Precludes the need to wait in lines, which can benefit caregivers and people with disabilities
Preserves the health and well-being of the sick and elderly
Prevents further spreading of diseases
How secure is mail-in voting, and what security measures are in place?
The short answer is that mail-in ballots are very safe, and findings of fraud using mail ballots are extremely rare. Despite contrary messaging, mail-in voting has been consistently secure thanks to these and other security measures:
An election tracking system manages every sent ballot.
Required signatures and/or identification numbers are verified on every ballot cast.
Postmarked dates are tracked to ensure deadlines are met.
Any potentially fraudulent ballot is pulled and investigated before counting.
Almost all states offer a tracking system, so voters can check where their ballot is in the process and confirm it was received and counted.
Drop boxes and the USPS employ their respective set of security features for receiving the ballots.
Is voting by mail a partisan issue? Why or why not?
Some say Democrats gain an unfair advantage from mail-in ballots. Though voting by mail has slightly increased overall voter turnout, historical evidence suggests no party has had an advantage over another. In other words, statistically equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats utilize universal mail-in voting.
Conclusion
The Constitution affords states the duties and responsibilities to carry out elections, and each state varies slightly in their management of voting. In the U.S., voting by mail dates back to the Civil War and has become a popular option for growing numbers of citizens.
Voting by mail is not a partisan practice or advantage. It remains a secure, convenient way to cast your ballot and offers many benefits and protections.
Remember, whether you drop off your completed ballot in a mail box or stand in line and cast your vote inside a booth, your vote matters and will count!
This article was written by Sherilyn Stevenson, lead researcher and writer for Mormon Women for Ethical Government, and Leslie Barron, advancing democracy specialist for Mormon Women for Ethical Government.
