absentee vote

noun

1. a vote cast by a person who, because of absence from usual voting district, illness, or the like, has been permitted to vote by mail.

Other Words From

• absentee voter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of absentee vote¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Example Sentences

In-person early voting wasn't really controversial enough to ask about until 2020, when Republicans began to argue that Election Day itself should keep its primacy and excuses should be required for early or absentee votes.

From Washington Post

In the 2016 presidential election, absentee votes led many to think that Hillary Clinton was favored to win the state of Iowa.

From Washington Post

The General Assembly also approved setting aside $2 million for prepaid postage on mail-in ballots and instructing registrars to allow voters to correct ballot errors that might keep an absentee vote from being counted.

From Washington Post