In 2013, Colorado became the third state to switch to statewide vote-by-mail elections. Oregon and Washington are the other two, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures’ (NCSL) elections newsletter, The Canvass. In vote-by-mail, or all-mail, elections, states automatically mail a ballot to every registered voter and do not operate traditional in-person polling places.
Though Colorado, Oregon, and Washington are the only states that allow for vote-by-mail elections statewide, at least 22 others allow them in certain jurisdictions or under certain circumstances. For example, in Idaho, a district can use vote-by-mail if it has 125 or fewer registered voters. Hawaii allows for vote-by-mail in local and special elections.
The article concludes by identifying and explaining three main issues state legislators should think about in contemplating vote-by-mail elections: (1) costs, (2) turnout, and (3) security. It also suggests that further research about vote-by-mail is needed as voters are looking for more convenient ways to participate in elections. In 2012, it reports that almost one-third of all voters cast their ballot before Election Day (either by absentee or vote-by-mail)—nearly double the rate from the 2000 election.
