On Sept. 30, Nebraska’s first batch of early mail-in ballots will be sent to voters who have requested them. Voting by mail has steadily gained popularity in recent election cycles; this was most noticeable during 2020’s “COVID election,” when more than six in 10 Nebraskans voted early. In subsequent years, Nebraskans have continued to reach for early mail-in ballots – despite persistent disinformation designed to undermine our confidence in its security and legitimacy. This myth-making is returning in 2024, so here’s what you need to know about voting by mail.
Myth 1: Vote-by-mail leads to widespread voter fraud
While fraud can happen in any voting system, studies and evidence have consistently shown that voter fraud is exceedingly rare. A seminal report by the Brennan Center for Justice found reviewed elections that had been meticulously studied for voter fraud and found incident rates between 0.0003 percent and 0.0025 percent. That means an American is more likely to be struck by lightning than to commit voter fraud.
States that have used universal mail-in voting for years — places like Colorado, Washington, and Oregon — have seen no evidence of widespread fraud. These states have some of the most secure election systems in the United States, thanks to rigorous checks like signature verification, tracking systems for ballots, and strict penalties for fraudulent behavior.
Myth 2: Vote-by-mail is susceptible to interference
Some worry that mail-in voting increases the risk of outside interference, such as the tampering of ballots by third parties. However, the vote-by-mail process is designed with layers of security to prevent such issues. Many states, including Nebraska, use secure ballot dropboxes, plus encrypted systems for tracking ballots and rigorous chain-of-custody protocols.
Also, once a voter sends their ballot in the mail, Nebraska offers online tracking services so voters can confirm their ballot has been received and counted. This minimizes the likelihood of interference and keeps voters informed throughout the mail-in process.
Myth 3: Vote-by-mail is inefficient and causes delays
While some states take longer to count mail-in ballots – looking at you, Pennsylvania – this isn’t a flaw in the system. It’s a feature, and it’s designed to ensure accuracy. Counting mail-in ballots may take additional time due to the signature verification process and other checks, but the priority is accuracy, not speed.
In the United States, election results are projected before the official count is completed, so we Americans are used to having our elections basically resolved on Election Night. But states have different laws about when early mail-in ballots can begin to be counted. In 2020, this led to a “Red Mirage” in several battleground states right after the polls closed on Election Day because more Republicans than Democrats voted day-of and in person – states that eventually saw a “Blue Shift” after mail-in ballots were tallied.
Mail-in ballots are counted with great care, and importantly, states have deadlines and processes to ensure that every valid ballot is counted within a reasonable timeframe prior to the certification of results.
Myth 4: You can vote multiple times by mail
No, you can’t. Each voter is registered under a unique identifier, and election officials maintain secure voter rolls to prevent duplicate ballots. When someone requests a mail-in ballot, their voter registration record immediately reflects this. If someone attempts to vote in person or requests a second ballot, election systems flag the issue and their in-person vote or second ballot is voided.
Not to mention that voting multiple times is a felony in every state, with severe penalties for those caught attempting it. The extensive measures in place make it nearly impossible to successfully submit more than one vote.
Myth 5: Vote-by-mail favors one political party
Voting by mail is and always has been a cross-partisan practice. While there are perceptions that one political party – in recent election cycles, that’s Democrats – stands to benefit more from mail-in voting, actual evidence shows that it does not favor one side or the other. In the 2020 general election, for example, Republicans outpaced Democrats in returning early mail-in ballots by nearly 40,000, following a consistent pattern in our statewide elections. Both here in Nebraska and around the nation, the data are clear: Voters from different political affiliations use this process at similar rates.
Bottom line: Don’t let these easily debunked myths keep you from casting an early mail-in ballot. Our modern, secure mail-in processes expand access to our democratic institutions, make it easier for people to cast a vote, and benefit a wide range of voters – including those in rural Nebraska, those with disabilities, and those who might otherwise have a hard time getting to their polling place.
