A chart showing the number of mail ballots requested in the past few elections over time. The number of ballots requested rises as the time gets closer to election day. The number of ballots this election is slightly outpacing the number requested in last year’s municipal primary — and far lower than in the 2020 primary. The 2020 and 2021 general elections begin with much higher numbers because voters who request ballots in the primary can simultaneously sign up to vote by mail in the general.
Numbers are based on the date applications are processed, not submitted; the difference can be several days when backlogs pile up. General elections begin with higher numbers because voters who request mail ballots in the primary can simultaneously sign up to vote by mail in the general.