Mail-in voting

Mail-in voting, also known as postal voting, is a voting system that enables voters to cast their ballots by mail instead of visiting polling stations in person. It is designed to make voting more accessible, especially for those unable to vote in person, such as people with disabilities, seniors, military personnel, and overseas voters. Widely adopted in countries like the United States, Australia, and Germany, mail-in voting aims to ensure broader participation in the electoral process.

Mail-in voting works by allowing eligible voters to receive their ballots by mail, which they then fill out and return to the designated election office before the deadline. To maintain integrity, the process includes measures like signature verification, unique barcodes, and tracking systems to prevent fraud and tampering. While voter fraud in mail-in voting is rare, critics often voice concerns about potential issues like ballot harvesting, delays in delivery, or mishandling of ballots. However, studies and past election results have shown that mail-in voting remains a secure method when executed with proper safeguards.

Despite its advantages, mail-in voting has been a topic of debate and controversy, particularly in highly polarized elections. Critics often raise concerns about voter fraud, ballot tampering, or delays in counting. However, research and numerous studies have shown that widespread fraud through mail-in voting is extremely rare. Mail-in voting became particularly prominent during the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as millions of voters chose this method to minimize health risks.

In November 2020, BOOM fact-checked a viral claim related to CNN's election coverage, where a doctored video allegedly showed a Pornhub notification popping up on CNN's Magic Wall during mail-in voting results.

BOOM’s investigation revealed that the video had been manipulated, debunking the false narrative and emphasizing the importance of verifying information during sensitive election periods.