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─────── October 10, 2026 ───────
Happy Saturday!
We’re back at it again with our midterms series. This week’s topic: mail-in ballots. Mail-in voting has been caught up in litigation for a while now, which is probably where you’ve seen it in the headlines. But maybe that’s got you wondering: What is mail-in voting? How does mail-in voting even work? Is it secure? Let’s break it down.
Speaking of mail (kinda)… we’re still accepting reader business applications to feature on Small Biz Saturday! Share your hustle with us.
New here? TPO Explains does a shallow dive into your most-asked questions every Saturday.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Take time to see the quiet miracles that seek no attention.”
John O'Donohue
BREWING QUESTIONS
WHAT YOU’RE ASKING
What is mail-in voting?
Mail-in voting is when you submit your ballot by mail. And that’s all for this week’s edition of TPOE; we’ll catch you next week!
…
Just kidding, there are a lot of ways you’ll hear about this: mail ballots, vote-by-mail, mail-in voting… It’s when your state mails you a ballot to fill out at home for an election. Voting by mail has been around for over 100 years, and in 2024, nearly one-third of voters used it.
You may also hear it called “absentee voting.” Usually, it’s the same thing with a different name tag. What actually varies is how your state hands out ballots: Some require an excuse (military service, disability, illness, etc.), most let anyone ask, and a few mail one to everyone.
So, which states do what?
Every state offers excused absentee voting, but not every state offers unexcused mail-in voting.
Tennessee, for example, requires an excuse to vote by mail, whereas Utah is an all-mail state, so all active registered voters are sent a ballot, and pretty much everybody (91.5% in 2024) votes by mail. See your state’s vote-by-mail rules and rates here.
How’s it work?
Step one, check our Midterms Guide for your state to learn about who’s on your ballot 😉
If you’re eligible and live in an all-mail state, you’ll get sent a ballot automatically; otherwise, you’ll have to request your ballot, and there’s usually a deadline.
Once you’ve filled out your ballot at home, you seal it in an envelope or two (depending on your state’s instructions) and sign your name to the back of the sealed envelope. From there, you mail it back or drop it in a special election box (picture a USPS box but just for ballots).
Is that secure?
State by state, mail-in voting comes with a ton of safeguards, including:
Signature matching: envelope signatures are compared to on-file signatures (like on driver’s licenses); some states also require an identifying number (SSN, DL#, etc.)
Registration checks: ballots are double-checked against eligible voter rolls
Ballot tracking: election officials and voters can watch the ballot travel
Election management systems: monitoring for duplicate votes (e.g., by mail and in person)
Poll watchers: observers appointed by the parties (or sometimes the public) who watch mail ballots get checked and counted
Ballots that are suspected of having an error or being fraudulent are put in time out set aside for further investigation. Most states will contact you to fix errors (a process called curing).
Once confirmed, ballots are scanned and tallied, just like in-person ballots. Then, counted ballots are saved. For federal elections like this one, ballots and election records are kept for 22 months in case questions come up later.
How do opinions about mail-in voting differ?
Supporters argue mail-in voting increases voter turnout and cuts costs while pointing to a very small fraud rate.
Critics argue mass mail-in voting raises the risk of fraud, tampering, and errors, and slows down tabulation, and that absentee voting should only be an option for people who truly can’t vote in person.
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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Let Jesus’s voice be the loudest and most influential voice in your life during election season and beyond. Christians are called to be followers of Jesus—not followers of news networks, politicians, or influencers.
“Now great crowds were traveling with him. So he turned and said to them, ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.’”
Luke 14:25-27 (CSB) (read full passage)
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HOUSE BLEND
WHAT YOU’LL ENJOY
Solving this week’s mini crossword. Good luck!
Whipped Cream on Top: Oh my roots!
Handcrafted swings your baby will love (and look super cute in). Created by a TPO family, Sweet Swinging believes the little things (and people) in our lives matter. That’s why every swing is designed to be beautiful and fun, the perfect touch for any space. There are indoor and outdoor options for kids of all ages. Add a little whimsy with a Sweet Swinging swing!*
*This is a free promo for a TPO-reader-owned small biz. Have your own small business you want us to know about? Fill out this form! We’re also filling spots for next month’s Small Business Saturday newsletter. Apply for that, too (same application)!
WHAT YOU’VE BEAN CLICKING…
Top Link: A before and after of Backpack, who really chonked up this summer to win this year’s Fat Bear Week.
Top Christian Perspective: A verse to consider when the future is uncertain. Download and save it here!
Top Whipped Cream: Arguably the most satisfying video we’ve shared.
TAKE IT TO GO
WHAT WE’RE RECOMMENDING
Who We’re Asking About Menopause
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WHAT WE’RE PRAYING
“A Prayer for Refuge” from TPO’s book Praying the News
God my Refuge, as the world roars and churns and sows the seeds of panic and distress, You are my safe haven. You are my Rock, my fortress, my hiding place.
As the cares of the world confront me, deliver me from fear and keep me in Your perfect peace. Still my unrest with Your power; satisfy me with Your provision; stabilize me with Your presence. Amen.
LEARN WITH US
Each week, we do the deep shallow dive so that you don’t have to. We bring what we learn not only to this email, but we sit down and talk about it, too. Check out this week’s episode of TPO Explains... just click on the episode below.
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