You’ve probably heard a lot of noise lately about how the U.S. is "the only country" that does mail-in voting. Honestly, it’s a big claim. But is it actually true?
Not even close.
If you’re wondering what countries have mail-in voting, the list is surprisingly long and stretches across almost every continent except Antarctica. According to data from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), as of late 2025 and heading into 2026, roughly 34 countries or territories allow some form of postal voting for their citizens living at home.
It's not just a "Western" thing, either. While Europe is definitely the heavyweight champion of the mailbox ballot, you'll find these systems everywhere from the mountains of Switzerland to the outback of Australia.
The Big Players: Where Everyone Can Vote by Mail
Some countries don't just "allow" mail-in voting; they basically live by it.
Take Switzerland. In many Swiss cantons, nearly 100% of voters receive their ballots in the mail. They’ve been doing this for decades. It’s so normal there that the idea of standing in a long line at a school gym on a Tuesday seems kind of weird to them. Over 90% of Swiss voters choose to mail those ballots back or drop them in secure boxes rather than showing up in person.
Then you have Germany. They’ve had Briefwahl (postal voting) since 1957. Back then, you needed a "valid reason," like being sick or out of town. But in 2008, they scrapped the excuses. Now, anyone can do it. In their 2021 federal election, about half of the entire country voted by mail.
Here are the heavy hitters where no-excuse mail-in voting is the standard for all citizens:
- Canada: All eligible voters can use a special mail-in ballot. They’ve been expanding this since the 90s.
- United Kingdom: Since 2001, any registered voter in Great Britain can apply for a postal vote without giving a reason.
- Australia: They’ve used it for over a century. While they have "compulsory voting" (you must show up or vote), they make it easy by letting anyone with a conflict—like work or travel—apply for a postal ballot.
- South Korea: A major player in Asia that utilizes mail-in options for its citizens.
- Poland & Iceland: Both have robust systems where the mailman is basically a poll worker.
What Countries Have Mail-In Voting with Restrictions?
This is where it gets a bit more "it depends." Many countries like the idea of mail-in voting but are terrified of the logistics or potential for fraud, so they keep it on a tight leash.
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In places like Spain, Mexico, and France, you can’t just mail it in because you’re feeling lazy. Usually, you have to prove you’re living abroad or have a serious physical disability. France actually banned general mail-in voting in the 1970s because of fraud concerns but brought it back specifically for overseas voters and certain circumstances.
Interestingly, India uses a "Postal Ballot" system, but it’s mostly reserved for "service voters"—people in the armed forces, government employees posted outside their home state, and sometimes those over 80 years old or with disabilities. Given they have nearly a billion voters, mailing a ballot to everyone would probably break the space-time continuum.
The Overseas Exception
Even if a country doesn't allow its residents to vote by mail, they almost always allow their expats to do it. More than 100 countries allow citizens living in foreign countries to mail their ballots to an embassy or a central processing center.
Is the U.S. Actually an Outlier?
Yes and no.
The U.S. is unique because it doesn't have one single system. In Washington, Oregon, and Utah, the whole thing is mail-based. In other states, it’s a battleground of rules.
One thing that is rare globally is "ballot curing." That’s the U.S. process where if you forget to sign your envelope, the government calls you and lets you fix it. Most other countries are "one and done"—if you mess up the envelope, your vote is basically toast.
Another weird U.S. quirk? Ballot tracking. Being able to see your ballot's journey on a website like a Pizza Hut delivery is a high-tech feature most European countries haven't bothered with yet. They just trust the post office.
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Why Some Countries Say "No Thanks"
It isn’t all sunshine and stamps. Some nations have tried mail-in voting and walked away.
France is the most famous example, having ditched it in 1975 after allegations of voter intimidation in Corsica. They prefer "proxy voting," where you literally give your "power of attorney" to a friend you trust to go to the polls and cast a vote for you. It sounds crazy to Americans, but for the French, it’s considered more secure than a mailbox.
The Netherlands also experimented with it but moved back toward in-person voting for most people to ensure the "secret" part of the "secret ballot." The fear is "family voting"—where one head of the household watches everyone else fill out their forms at the kitchen table.
Actionable Insights: How to Navigate the 2026 Landscape
If you're looking at the 2026 midterms or any upcoming international election, here is the ground reality:
- Verify Your Local Deadline: Whether you're in London or Los Angeles, mail-in deadlines are getting stricter. In the U.S., new 2026 USPS guidelines suggest mailing at least seven days before Election Day.
- The "Manual Postmark" Trick: If you're worried about your ballot being late, go to a physical post office counter and ask for a manual date stamp. This provides proof of when it left your hands.
- Overseas Voters: If you're a "digital nomad" or expat, use the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) for U.S. citizens or your country's equivalent embassy portal. Don't wait for the mail—many countries allow you to download the ballot, print it, and then mail it.
- Signature Consistency: The #1 reason mail ballots get rejected worldwide isn't fraud—it's a signature that doesn't match the one on your driver's license from ten years ago. Update your signature with the election board if your handwriting has changed.
The reality of what countries have mail-in voting is that the world is moving toward more access, not less. While the debates get heated, the mailbox is becoming as much a part of the democratic process as the curtained booth.
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Source References:
- International IDEA Special Voting Arrangements Tool (Updated 2025/2026 data).
- The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Australia).
- Electoral Commission UK: Guidance on Absent Voting (2026 update).
- USPS Domestic Mail Manual Section 608.11 (Revisions effective Dec 2025).