In The Know

Absentee voting has grown in popularity over the past decade, with one of the biggest surges coming ahead of the 2020 presidential election. 

As more constituents opt for absentee ballots, it’s vital that your campaign accounts for this growing demographic when planning outreach efforts. You cannot neglect this segment of voters and expect to achieve victory in the 2024 political landscape.

Here’s everything you need to know. 

The Rise of Absentee Voting

Why have absentee ballots become so popular? There’s not a singular cause. Some voters shifted to absentee voting amid health concerns during the turbulent 2020 election cycle. Others are simply taking advantage of changes in state voting laws to exercise their civic duty in a convenient way. 

People who have serious health concerns or scheduling conflicts on Election Day find absentee ballots particularly useful. 

One of the biggest drivers of absentee voting is a change in state voting laws. Every state offers some form of early voting, and only 14 of them require constituents to provide a valid excuse to obtain an absentee ballot.  

Who Are Absentee Voters?

Several different groups may gravitate toward absentee ballots. Older individuals who may have health concerns, transportation issues, or mobility limitations tend to favor mail-in voting. Military personnel, people living abroad, and individuals with disabilities can also benefit from absentee ballots.

However, not everyone who uses an absentee ballot has severe limitations. Many Americans simply have hectic and unpredictable schedules. They don’t want to miss the opportunity to have their voices heard and aren’t confident that they can make it to the polls on Election Day.

You’ll need to leverage political data to better understand what motivates constituents in your jurisdiction. Once you identify each group’s “Why,” you can deliver targeted messaging that speaks to their concerns and motivations. 

How Do Americans Feel About Absentee Ballots?

A slight majority (60%) of Americans favor early or absentee voting without a valid excuse. These sentiments are mostly divided along party lines. 

While 82% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents are in favor of early voting without a valid excuse, just 37% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents feel the same way. 

Recent voter turnout trends demonstrate that millions of Americans are open to mail-in and absentee voting. In 2022, less than half of constituents cast their ballots at a polling station on Election Day. 

How the Process Works

Absentee voting rules vary slightly from state to state. The first step in most jurisdictions involves requesting an absentee ballot from the local election office. Some states allow campaigns to send absentee ballot requests directly to constituents. 

If your jurisdiction allows this, consider making it part of your campaign strategy. Mailing absentee ballot requests to voters achieves a few things. First and foremost, it ensures constituents have the resources they need to exercise their civic duty. 

While you obviously want voters to support your candidate, you also want to promote accessibility and provide individuals with the tools they need to cast a ballot.

Sending absentee requests directly to voters also helps prevent confusion among individuals who may not fully understand the mail-in balloting process. You can provide them with the request forms and educational resources that inform them about deadlines and how to submit their documentation. 

Key Trends in Absentee Voting

There are a few things to be mindful of when considering how to connect with absentee voters.

No-Excuse Voting Has Become More Prevalent

More states are allowing voters to request absentee ballots without needing to provide a valid excuse. The removal of this barrier has led to an uptick in absentee voting. 

However, 14 jurisdictions still require voters to provide a specific reason when requesting an absentee ballot. Make sure to research the requirements in your target regions when connecting with early voters. 

Voters Are Less Apprehensive About Mail-In Ballots

The stats mentioned above showcase that the majority of Americans are open to mail-in voting. While it’s unclear exactly how many constituents will take advantage of this opportunity in the 2024 election cycle, the figure will undoubtedly be substantial based on the 2020 and 2022 trends. 

Early Engagement Is Key

Mail-in voters can submit their ballots days or even weeks before Election Day. You need to adjust your marketing timeline if you want to connect with these individuals and spur them to action.

You must also keep in mind that each jurisdiction has different absentee ballot application deadlines. For instance, D.C. election offices must receive mail-in request forms at least 15 days before Election Day. In this case, you should probably get request forms in the hands of voters at least 30 days before Election Day. 

How to Engage With Absentee Voters

There are many different ways to connect with absentee voters. Early outreach is vital so that your constituents have enough time to fill out and return their request forms.

Make sure to customize your messaging and emphasize the convenience of absentee voting. Highlighting the benefits of absentee ballots can sway individuals who are unsure about whether they should vote by mail. 

Make sure your content is educational and not too pushy. Provide clear instructions to recipients and empower them to make informed decisions. 

Partner With Aristotle to Mobilize Absentee Voters

Aristotle is a leader in political data and can provide your campaign with timely, relevant information about constituents in your target regions. Our database includes tens of millions of voter files and records, which you can use to customize campaign messaging and connect with those who are interested in casting a vote via an absentee ballot.

Want to learn more about how Aristotle can support your campaign goals? Schedule a demo and explore our extensive suite of political tools.