Improving Vote-by-Mail Elections

One election administration issue increasingly demands attention: how states handle mail-in ballots, particularly the deadline for return and receipt and the rules governing when they are processed. In states where a meaningful share of voters cast ballots by mail, these choices shape administrative efficiency and bolster public confidence in election outcomes.

A straightforward and intuitive reform would require that all ballots—regardless of how they are cast—be received by the time polls close on Election Day. This would mean reforming laws in several states that simply require ballots to be postmarked by Election Day. If adopted, this standard would treat every voter equally and align with what many already assume are the rules. When voters go to the polls on Election Day, they understand that their ballot must be cast by the close of voting. Applying the same expectation to mail-in voting would promote clarity and fairness; however, states are responsible for clearly communicating deadline changes to allow voters sufficient time to return their ballots.

Beyond simplicity, receipt-by-Election-Day rules can meaningfully improve trust in election outcomes. Previous R Street research has shown that prolonged vote counting and delayed results create fertile ground for misinformation and speculation. When results trickle in days or weeks after Election Day, it becomes easier for bad actors to cast doubt on legitimate outcomes and harder for election officials to reassure the public that the process is working as intended. While voting by mail increases convenience for voters, that convenience should not come at the expense of timely election results.

However, ballot receipt deadlines are only one part of the equation. Equally important is the ability of election officials to pre-process mail-in ballots. Pre-processing does not mean counting votes before Election Day; rather, it refers to verifying signatures, confirming voter eligibility, and preparing ballots so that tabulation can begin immediately once polls close.

The dangers of pre-processing restriction were on full display in the 2020 presidential election. Local laws in states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin prevented election officials from beginning to process mail-in ballots until Election Day or later. Vote counting stretched on for days as a result, even though the ballots themselves were lawfully cast and properly handled. The delay became a flashpoint for conspiracy theories and misinformation.

Taken together, these reforms represent a commonsense approach to mail-in voting. States should ensure that ballots are received by Election Day and empower their election officials to process them in advance. Doing so respects voters, supports election administrators, and reduces the unnecessary delays that can fuel distrust. Secure elections depend not just on accuracy, but also on systems that are clear, timely, and worthy of public confidence.