COVID-19 pandemic drives 46% of 2020 presidential votes to be cast by mail, the largest mail-ballot share in U.S. history

In the November 3, 2020 presidential election, roughly 46% of all votes were cast by mail — approximately 65 million ballots — making it the largest use of mail voting in American history. The COVID-19 pandemic drove the surge: states expanded no-excuse absentee voting, courts blocked last-minute restrictions, and voters avoided crowded polling places. President Trump attacked mail voting as fraudulent throughout the campaign while simultaneously voting by mail himself in Florida.