absentee ballot

noun

: a ballot submitted (as by mail) in advance of an election by a voter who is unable to be present at the polls

Examples of absentee ballot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Provisional and absentee ballots that qualified were added to the totals since, swinging the race by 10,585 votes to a Riggs win by 734 votes. Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Dec. 2024 Many voters have also opted to vote early or by absentee ballot. Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 30 Mar. 2025 Kane County Clerk John Cunningham announced that the Clerk’s Office will begin mailing absentee ballots for the April 1 election on March 7 to about 37,500 voters who submitted applications for permanent vote-by-mail ballots, according to the news release. Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025 Wisconsin election officials said nearly 200 absentee ballots went uncounted in last year’s election. Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for absentee ballot

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of absentee ballot was in 1889

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Cite this Entry

“Absentee ballot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absentee%20ballot. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Legal Definition

absentee ballot

noun
absentee bal·​lot
: a ballot submitted (as by mail) in advance of an election by a voter who is unable to be present at the polls

More from Merriam-Webster on absentee ballot

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