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.
Rebecca Loroff Grand Chute town clerk Kayla Raatz said that while in-person voter turnout for the town is at 20%, combined with absentee ballots the turnout is currently at 35%. Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 8 Apr. 2026 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 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 16 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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