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

Immediately after the 2020 election, the secretary of state’s office did a hand recount, a machine recount of all Georgia ballots, and a signature verification on absentee ballots. — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

On March 31, ahead of this year’s midterm election — in which the balance of Congress is in play — the president issued an executive order that could change how mail-in or absentee ballots work. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026

After absentee ballots are accounted for, Election Day ballots will begin next, which until then remain in an unopened envelope. — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 8 July 2026

State law also prohibits notaries from charging a fee for notarizing signatures on an absentee ballot. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for absentee ballot

• alate
• fallot
• mallet
• palate
• palette
• pallet
• shallot

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