Have you ever wondered what happens to the votes of people who cast their ballots early but pass away before Election Day? The answer to this question varies by state, with some states allowing the counting of such ballots and others prohibiting it.
Former President Jimmy Carter, who is turning 100 on Oct. 1, has expressed his desire to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Despite being in hospice care for over a year, Carter is determined to make it to the polls.
In Georgia, where Carter resides, early voting begins on Oct. 15, giving residents the opportunity to cast their votes before Election Day on Nov. 5. The state also allows absentee and mail-in ballots to be submitted ahead of time.
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) reports that the rules regarding the counting of ballots cast by deceased voters vary across the country. While some states explicitly permit counting such ballots, others have statutes that prohibit it. Interestingly, more than half of states have no official rules on this matter.
States like Connecticut count deceased voters’ ballots only if the person is a member of the armed services, while others, like Vermont, ensure that a voter’s ballot is accepted and counted if it is determined to be free of defects.
Colorado and Oregon, both entirely vote-by-mail states, specify that ballots cast by individuals who pass away before Election Day will still be counted, provided certain conditions are met.
In the case of Minnesota, election officials track voter deaths to ensure that ballots are not counted if a voter passes away before Election Day. However, if the ballot has already been processed or removed from its envelope, the vote will still be counted.
As for Georgia, the state where former President Carter hopes to cast his vote, election officials have yet to respond to inquiries about their policies regarding ballots cast by deceased voters.
Conclusion
The question of whether ballots cast by voters who pass away before Election Day are counted is complex and varies by state. While some states have clear rules on the matter, others have no official guidelines, leaving room for interpretation.
As Election Day approaches, it’s crucial to understand the policies in your state regarding this issue to ensure that every vote is counted, regardless of the circumstances.
