All 50 states and the District of Columbia use mailed-out ballots, but their regulations and practices widely vary. Which states mail ballots automatically to all registered voters, and which allow any voter to request one? How easy is obtaining a ballot, and what return options exist? Can voters apply online for their mailed-out ballot, or must they submit a paper form? Can voters sign-up once to receive ballots for all future elections for which they're eligible, or must they apply for every election? These components, and more, influence voters' access to, trust in, and security of this essential voting method. We have identified and weighed 15 key criteria to answer these questions, plus more.
(March 31, 2025) — Today, the National Vote at Home Institute (NVAHI) issued a research paper examining turnout in the 2024 primary election cycle. In addition
(October 29, 2024) — Ballot boxes were set on fire in Oregon and Washington state this week in an attempt to discourage Americans from participating in
National Vote at Home Institute — Once upon a time, two states, with nearly identical demographics and similar high turnout political cultures, held the exact
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, some American states had transitioned to universal voting-by-mail, where all registered voters receive a mail ballot. But due to the
September 2024 Every two years, leading politicians, journalists, interest groups, and citizens turn their collective attention to the upcoming presidential or midterm elections. Presidents, U.S.
This memo presents evidence on the efficacy of universal vote by mail (UVBM) and permanent absentee voting (PAV). With UVBM, all registered voters are sent
Statewide ballot tracking was introduced to California voters in the 2020 election cycle after the Secretary of State’s office contracted with the BallotTrax organization, a
