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 The barcodes -- which are printed on the envelopes sent to voters, as well as the return envelopes for the ballots themselves -- allow voters to track when their absentee ballot is mailed out, sent back, and received by election officials. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024 State elections officials approved emergency measures in nearly 30 western counties and tribal areas giving voters additional options for turning in their absentee ballots. Robert Yoon, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024 Voters can also go to an early voting center and insert their absentee ballot in the tabulator. Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press, 28 Oct. 2024 Bell emphasized the importance of voters continuing to submit their ballots, especially absentee ballots, which must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Elyse Apel | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for absentee ballot 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'absentee ballot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near absentee ballot

Cite this Entry

“Absentee ballot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absentee%20ballot. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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