Similar in concept to an independent audit of financial statements, post-election audits are a nonpartisan process that allows states to verify the accuracy and performance of voting equipment and vote counting machines. In effect, a post-election audit is a partial recount of results, checking random samples of paper ballots or records against the results produced…
A small number of states conduct all-mail elections, where every eligible voter is mailed a ballot without having to request one. Ballots are returned through the mail or to secure ballot drop boxes or election offices. Voters who wish to do so may still cast their ballot in-person at a polling place. All-mail elections allow…
Similar to online voter registration, a number of states have recently enacted policies that allow voters to request absentee ballots through an online system. This policy gives voters additional options outside of mailing or submitting paper application forms by hand. These state websites also often allow voters to track their ballots once submitted.
Oftentimes voters who utilize absentee or mail ballots return those ballots through the postal system. States vary in their policies regarding return postage for those ballots, with some states providing prepaid return postage envelopes so voters don’t need to pay for postage themselves.
In most states, when a voter casts their absentee ballot, they can simply return the ballot through the mail or in person at a drop box or election office. However, some steps impose additional required steps that can create barriers to voters casting their ballot. These additional steps usually consist of requiring a notary or…
Automatic voter registration is a policy that modernizes the voter registration process by automatically registering eligible voters through their interactions with state agencies, most commonly when people apply for or renew their driver’s licenses. Automatic voter registration helps ensure that every eligible voter has access to vote and strengthens the security and accuracy of our…
Online voter registration is a policy that improves the voter registration process by allowing voters to fill out and submit registration forms electronically through online systems set up by their state. In most states, these systems work in tandem with, and are checked against, information from driver’s licenses or other state-issued IDs. Online voter registration…
