General Politics vs Remote Voting Surge
— 5 min read
2020 saw a historic surge in mail-in ballots, with the share of early votes jumping from roughly 24% in 2016 to nearly 46% in the 2020 presidential election. The pandemic forced election officials to expand remote voting options, and voters responded in unprecedented numbers. This shift reshaped how Americans cast ballots and set new expectations for future elections.
Legal Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for legal matters.
How COVID-19 Reshaped Early Voting and Remote Voting in the United States
Key Takeaways
- Mail-in voting doubled between 2016 and 2020.
- States that expanded drop-box access saw higher turnout.
- Voter confidence grew despite pandemic concerns.
- Legal challenges slowed adoption in some jurisdictions.
- Remote voting is likely to remain a staple post-pandemic.
When I first covered the 2020 election cycle, the term "remote voting" felt like a buzzword rather than a lived reality. By the time polls closed on November 3, I was fielding calls from voters who told me they had never mailed a ballot before. Their stories mirrored a broader national trend: a pandemic-driven pivot toward early and absentee voting that reshaped the democratic process.In my reporting, I have leaned heavily on data from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and contemporary coverage from Reuters. According to Reuters, the number of mail-in ballots cast in 2020 was roughly 65 million, up from 33 million in 2016 - a 97% increase. That surge was not accidental; it was the result of intentional policy changes, public health guidance, and a wave of voter anxiety about in-person polling places.
Early voting, which traditionally meant heading to a precinct on a Saturday or weekday before Election Day, also exploded. States like Florida, Texas, and Arizona extended their early-voting windows by weeks. In Florida, the early-voting period grew from 12 days in 2016 to 29 days in 2020, according to the Florida Division of Elections. The extended window allowed voters to avoid crowded polling places and reduced the risk of virus transmission.
Policy Shifts that Enabled Remote Voting
Many states enacted emergency legislation or issued executive orders to loosen absentee-ballot requirements. For example, Ohio waived the "explain-why" signature requirement for mail-in ballots, while Colorado and Oregon already operated fully mail-based systems. I visited a County Clerk's office in Maricopa County, Arizona, where staff explained that the new "no-excuse" absentee ballot policy lifted a major barrier for voters who previously needed a valid reason to vote by mail.
These changes were not merely administrative; they reflected a public-health calculus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended limiting in-person interactions, and election officials responded by expanding drop-box locations, allowing ballot-by-mail without pre-approval, and providing additional staffing for ballot processing.
Voter Behavior and Turnout
Voter turnout in 2020 hit 66.8%, the highest in a presidential election since 1900, according to the United States Census Bureau. While many factors contributed to this surge - including heightened political polarization - the convenience of early and mail voting was a clear driver. A Pew Research Center poll found that 73% of respondents who voted by mail said they would do so again in future elections.
In my experience covering local elections in Ohio, I observed a noticeable shift in demographic participation. Younger voters, who historically favored in-person voting, embraced mail-in ballots because they could complete the process from a dorm room or a shared apartment, avoiding the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak on campus. Similarly, elderly voters, who faced heightened health risks, found reassurance in the ability to vote from home.
Comparative Data: 2016 vs. 2020
| Metric | 2016 Election | 2020 Election |
|---|---|---|
| Mail-in ballots cast (millions) | 33 | 65 |
| Early-in-person votes (millions) | 46 | 58 |
| Total voter turnout (%) | 60.1 | 66.8 |
| States offering universal mail voting | 2 | 2 |
| States expanding drop-box access | 3 | 12 |
The table makes the contrast stark: mail-in ballots nearly doubled, and early-in-person voting added roughly 12 million additional votes. The expanded drop-box network, a direct response to pandemic constraints, appears to have played a significant role in this increase.
Legal and Political Pushback
Not every jurisdiction embraced the shift without friction. Several states filed lawsuits challenging the legality of expanded absentee voting. In Texas, the Supreme Court heard arguments about whether the state could allow drive-through voting sites, a novel idea introduced to reduce lines. While the court ultimately allowed the practice for the 2020 cycle, the litigation highlighted a tension between public-health imperatives and traditional election law.
In my conversations with state officials, the prevailing sentiment was one of cautious optimism. Prosecutor General Astrid Asi of Estonia, referenced in a Radio Moldova piece, noted that political criticism had not made her office more cautious. That observation resonated with U.S. election officials who, despite partisan attacks, pressed ahead with reforms to protect voters.
Impact on Voter Confidence
One lingering question after the 2020 election was whether the rapid expansion of remote voting eroded trust in the electoral system. Surveys from the National Election Pool suggested that 85% of voters believed their mail-in ballot was counted accurately, a figure only slightly lower than pre-pandemic confidence levels.
During a post-election debrief with a poll worker in Milwaukee, I learned that the sheer volume of mail-in ballots required additional staff for verification. While there were isolated reports of delayed counts, most jurisdictions reported that final results were certified within a typical timeframe. The overall message was clear: voters adapted, and the system adapted with them.
Future Outlook: Is Remote Voting Here to Stay?
Looking ahead, the pandemic acted as a catalyst that accelerated trends already underway. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has announced that it will study the 2020 remote-voting experience to inform future legislation. Many states have indicated they will retain at least some of the pandemic-era reforms.
For instance, Colorado’s legislature passed a bill in 2021 cementing universal mail voting as permanent law. In Georgia, the state expanded the number of ballot drop-boxes and eliminated the need for a witness signature on absentee ballots, a change that took effect for the 2022 midterms.
From my perspective, the most profound legacy of COVID-19 on American elections is the normalization of voting from home. Voters now expect a menu of options, and officials are increasingly judged on how well they provide safe, accessible alternatives. The pandemic proved that large-scale remote voting is logistically feasible and, when managed well, maintains public confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did COVID-19 affect the number of mail-in ballots in 2020?
A: The pandemic prompted many states to relax absentee-ballot rules, resulting in roughly 65 million mail-in ballots - a 97% increase over 2016, according to Reuters.
Q: Which states expanded drop-box access during the 2020 election?
A: Twelve states, including Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan, added or increased the number of ballot drop-boxes to accommodate social-distancing guidelines, as documented by state election boards and reported by local news outlets.
Q: Did voter confidence decline because of the surge in remote voting?
A: Confidence remained high; a National Election Pool survey found that 85% of voters trusted that their mail-in ballot was counted accurately, only a slight dip from pre-pandemic levels.
Q: What legal challenges arose from expanding absentee voting?
A: Several states faced lawsuits over new rules; Texas saw Supreme Court battles over drive-through voting, while Pennsylvania dealt with challenges to its expanded mail-in ballot deadline. Most cases were ultimately resolved in favor of keeping the reforms for the 2020 cycle.
Q: Will the changes to early and remote voting persist after the pandemic?
A: Early indications suggest many reforms will stay. Colorado has codified universal mail voting, and Georgia has made drop-box access permanent, signaling a long-term shift toward more flexible voting options.
