Ballot harvesting refers to the practice of collecting completed absentee or mail-in ballots from voters and submitting them to election officials. This can be done by individuals, political party operatives, or organizations and may involve collecting ballots from multiple voters and delivering them in bulk to election offices.
Proponents of ballot harvesting argue that it makes it easier for voters to participate in elections, particularly those who have difficulty accessing polling places or mailing in their ballots. However, opponents of the practice argue that it can make the electoral process more vulnerable to fraud, intimidation, and coercion.
In some states, ballot harvesting is illegal, while in others, it is allowed under certain conditions and restrictions. For example, in some states, only family members or caregivers can collect and submit completed ballots, while in other states, third-party collection is allowed, but there are limits on the number of ballots that can be collected per individual.
In general, there is debate and controversy over the legality and ethics of ballot harvesting, with arguments on both sides about whether it is a necessary step to safeguard voting rights or a potential avenue for abuse and fraud.
