What type of ballot is filled out and mailed in by individuals unable to vote on election day?

The absentee ballot is a voting method that allows individuals who are unable to attend the polls on election day to participate in the electoral process. This option is particularly useful for voters who may be away from their registered voting location due to travel, illness, or other valid reasons.

When a voter requests an absentee ballot, they typically fill out the ballot at their convenience and then mail it back to the election office, ensuring that their vote counts even if they cannot be present on election day. This process helps facilitate participation in the democratic process, allowing for greater voter accessibility and inclusion of those who might otherwise be disenfranchised due to scheduling conflicts or physical limitations.

In contrast, a provisional ballot is used when there are questions about a voter's eligibility, a regular ballot is the standard voting method used by those who vote in person on election day, and an emergency ballot typically refers to a specific process used under certain urgent circumstances, often involving unforeseen events that occur on election day itself.