There is absolutely no reason for either absentee or mail-in ballots. Here’s why – they are not legal because viruses have no legal standing to require them. Absentee Ballots were originally started, supposedly to allow military personnel the ability to cast their votes from wherever they were serving around the globe.
There is no reason whatsoever that our Military too, can’t vote in person with a regular paper ballot. All the branches of the military know exactly how many people are serving at any given time. Logistical support enables food, medical supplies, ammunition, all sorts of military equipment, bombs, even Thanksgiving turkeys to be brought to those that serve in every corner of the globe.
All those that serve in this capacity have verified identification. They all have a chain of command under which they serve. There is an accurate count of those serving. There is no reason why any commander of any branch of service would not be able to requisition the exact number of ballots for those serving under them.
The ballots would then be secured, loaded on a C130, or some other transport, and delivered into the field. With at least two officials present, the secured ballots would then follow a similar chain of custody until, during, and after the votes are cast, and then returned to The United States, where they could be accurately tallied for the respective districts and states where they belong.
There it is in a nutshell there is absolutely no reason that those serving would not then be able to show their ID, and obtain and cast their vote in person, wherever they are.