Convenience Isn't Everything: Why Election Day Needs Us Back at the Polls

The 2020 election was an unprecedented challenge for American democracy. In the face of a pandemic, states rapidly expanded mail-in voting to ensure citizens could safely cast their ballots. This well-intentioned move protected public health—but it also exposed new vulnerabilities in the democratic process, from logistical strains to heightened skepticism about the integrity of our elections. Now, with November 5 fast approaching, the most radical reform to defend our democracy may also be the simplest: bring people back to the polls on Election Day.

First, let’s dispel a dangerous myth: the 2020 election, with its surge in mail-in voting, was secure. Every credible investigation, audit, and over 60 court cases have confirmed that there was no widespread fraud. Yet, since former President Donald Trump's 2020 "Stop the Steal" campaign, voting by mail has been the focus of disinformation and misinformation by his supporters in the Republican Party, leading 25 states to enact new bills targeting the voting method, and undermining confidence in our elections for millions of Americans.

Beyond the political firestorm, there’s a logistical case for restoring in-person, Election Day voting. Running elections that support both mail-in and in-person voting systems is complex and expensive. Election administrators across the country are stretched to their limits, managing a flood of mail-in ballots alongside the traditional in-person process. Making matters worse, in certain states, such as the battleground states of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, it is illegal to begin processing early votes before Election Day. This can lead to longer counting periods, on top of increased costs, and more opportunities for delays that can be exploited by bad actors to sow doubt about outcomes they dislike.

A return to in-person voting on Election Day simplifies and protects the process. Results are tabulated quickly and efficiently, minimizing the window in which conspiracy theories can form and metastasize. Election officials can concentrate their limited resources on one streamlined system rather than trying to juggle multiple modes of voting. We would gain efficiency while also reducing the risk that comes with prolonged counting and certification periods.

One of the most frequently and rightly cited concerns about in-person voting is the issue of unequal access—whether due to long lines, limited polling locations, or disparities in staffing. The problems are especially acute in cities and neighborhoods that are majority Black and Brown. Instead of leaning on mail voting as a band-aid solution, why not invest directly in our polling infrastructure to make it more equitable and sustainable? Some of the resources currently spent on maintaining multimodal voting systems could be reallocated to increase the number of polling places, particularly in underserved areas: More polling stations, better staffing, and expanded hours could significantly reduce wait times and improve access for all voters.

Contrary to popular belief, we don’t have all that much to lose by returning to mostly in-person voting. Research on the turnout effects of mail voting (leaving aside states with established universal vote-by-mail systems) indicates this method has minimal impact on increasing overall voter turnout, partisan turnout, or partisan vote share, including in the 2020 election. Although mail voting makes voting easier for people who are already likely to vote, especially older and whiter voters, studies show it does not significantly motivate eligible non-voters to participate. Turnout in 2020, despite being historic, was driven more by the polarized political environment and efforts to mobilize voters than by the availability of convenience options. Meanwhile, lower-profile reforms like automatic voter registration and same-day voter registration have proven to make a difference in increasing turnout and expanding the electorate, particularly for younger voters.

On the other hand, we have much to gain by returning to the polls. Voting is more than a transaction; it's a collective exercise in democracy. A return to in-person voting on Election Day could provide Americans with a much-needed civic boost. In Puerto Rico, for example, Election Day is a celebration—a special occasion that fosters civic engagement and a shared purpose as people physically gather to cast their ballots​. As political theorist Emilee Booth Chapman argues in her book Election Day: How We Vote and What It Means for Democracy, the very act of showing up strengthens the connection between citizens and the democratic process, something voting by mail or even early in-person voting can’t replicate.

There are, of course, many people for whom in-person voting is not an option. Americans living abroad, deployed military personnel, those with physical limitations, and people who can’t take time off work to visit the polls depend on mail-in voting to participate in elections. In no way should their access to the ballot be restricted. Voting by mail is an essential part of ensuring universal access. This isn’t about rolling back those rights. Instead, it’s about recognizing that, for most voters, in-person voting—especially on Election Day—provides a stronger foundation for trust and engagement​​.

For those who can vote in person, it should be as accessible as possible. Besides shoring up our in-person voting infrastructure, making Election Day a federal holiday (with paid time off), as it is in Puerto Rico along with a growing list of states, would be a big step in the right direction. Still, in a healthy and vibrant democracy, people should feel motivated to participate in elections not just because it's convenient, but because they know their votes truly count. That's why we need broader changes to our electoral system that tackle the underlying crises of lack of competition and underrepresentation plaguing our democracy.

A return to mostly in-person voting should thus be coupled with structural reforms like fusion voting (which allows minor parties to cross-nominate major party candidates on the ballot) and proportional representation. These reforms could reinvigorate our political system by making elections more competitive and representative of the 35 percent of American voters who fall outside of the traditional Democratic and Republican binary—and many more who want more choices.

At a time when faith in our institutions is at record lows, in-person voting isn’t just a nostalgic throwback, but a simple mechanism for rebuilding trust. While there will always be those who must vote by mail, the rest of us should consider gathering at the polls, face-to-face with the democratic process. It may not be the most convenient choice for you this Election Day, but it might be the right one for our democracy.