absentee ballot

noun

Synonyms of absentee ballotnext
: 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.
The board voted unanimously to send the voters forms to apply for in-person absentee ballots to correct their votes. Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026 Early voting and absentee ballots are often reported first, which can make early results appear to favor one candidate before Election Day votes are fully counted. Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026 On Tuesday, the president signed an executive order mandating each state create a list of all eligible voters and restrict their approvals for absentee ballot requests to people confirmed on that list. Sarah Davis, The Hill, 5 Apr. 2026 For voters, the order raises uncertainty about access to registration and absentee ballots, particularly for people whose eligibility records may be incomplete or inconsistent across federal and state databases. Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 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 14 Apr. 2026.

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

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