absentee ballot

noun

Synonyms of absentee ballotnext
: a ballot submitted (as by mail) in advance of an election by a voter who is unable to be present at the polls

Examples of absentee ballot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Georgia Secretary of State's election data hub shows the county has issued over 14,500 absentee ballots, of which more than 6,500 have been returned and accepted. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 Setback, not defeat for Netanyahu Counting absentee ballots will last until Thursday evening, said Elad Naveh, control manager at the Central Elections Committee. — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 More than 38,000 absentee ballots had already been returned to the towns. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026 Focus is now on the results of some 600,000 absentee ballots, accounting for 10% of the votes and cast mainly by Israeli military personnel, the counting of which will begin at midnight local time. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for absentee ballot

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of absentee ballot was in 1889

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Absentee ballot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absentee%20ballot. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Legal Definition

absentee ballot

noun
absentee bal·​lot
: a ballot submitted (as by mail) in advance of an election by a voter who is unable to be present at the polls

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