What's the difference between an absentee ballot and voting by mail?

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Nov. 3 is Election Day. There is no shortage of conversation on social media about how you're hoping the president or the governor will be voted back in or voted out. Either way, you'll need to vote to make that happen. Folks are getting texts like this:

 "Hi, William (yes, they call you by name) you will soon receive a vote by mail application. Will you return the application?”

Is this someone trying to steal your vote? Most likely, no.

“We know many groups are sending out requests for absentee ballots. The requests itself isn’t a ballot, it's a request for a ballot,” explained Guilford County Board of Elections Director Charlie Collicutt. “ As long as it's blank, a voter can use it. And please send it to the Guilford County Board of Elections, do not send it to any other organization.”

RELATED:VERIFY: You should mail ballots in at least 7 days before election day

Still not sure about it? Then get an absentee ballot yourself. It's a simple three-step process:

1. Request the ballot--online, by mail, by phone or in-person

2. Vote

3. Return the ballot -- by mail or you can hand deliver it either during early voting to the polls or the elections office or on election day only at the elections office

You're hearing people call it a “mail-in” or “by mail” ballot or “absentee ballot”. Is there a difference?

“Absentee voting is a catchall name. When you vote by getting a ballot we mail to your house, it's called absentee by mail-in voting. You’re absent from the polls, but you're voting by mail”.

Learn more from our news partners WFMY NEWS 2

Voting

Photo Credit: Getty Images


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content