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What are the voting methods in the US presidential elections?

2024-10-17 19:50:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

All Americans have a chance to have their say in the 2024 election. But if they can't get to a polling place on November 5th, what happens? Fortunately, there's more than one way to vote. VOA takes a look at the options voters have:

About 244 million Americans are eligible to vote this election year, but not all will cast a ballot on Election Day.

For those who are busy with work, or if they are abroad, alternative voting methods allow all citizens to participate in elections.

This year, citizens can vote on election day, during early voting, or by mail. The rules, however, vary from state to state.

On November 5, millions of Americans will vote in the traditional way at a polling station. But voting practices are changing. In 2020, just over half of Americans voted at a polling place, but only 27 percent of them on Election Day.

Early voting at a polling place is becoming Americans' preferred method, and almost all states allow it. In 2000, 40 percent of Americans had the opportunity to vote early, while in this year's elections, 97 percent of them have this opportunity.

As on Election Day, those who want to vote before November 5 must physically go to a polling station.

In states like Illinois, voters have had this opportunity since late September, but in some other states, early voting starts just weeks before the election.

Absentee voting is another option. Voters can request a mail-in ballot and, in some states, they must provide an explanation. Depending on the state, absentee voters may submit their ballots in person or by mail.

"Voting by mail" and "absentee voting" are sometimes used interchangeably. But states that allow mail-in voting, such as California and Colorado, typically mail ballots to all registered voters without their application.

The use of alternative voting methods is increasing, as are political tensions.

Republicans typically oppose mail-in voting, raising doubts about the validity of such ballots — though there is little evidence of abuse.

Democrats support different voting methods, saying it's more democratic when everyone is allowed to have a say — not just those who can go to a polling place./VOA