Astronauts to Vote Absentee from Space

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, stranded on the International Space Station due to issues with their Boeing Starliner capsule, will participate in the 2024 U.S. presidential election from space. Originally scheduled for an eight-day mission, their return has been postponed to 2025, and they will now return via a SpaceX Dragon Crew capsule. Despite their extended stay in orbit, both astronauts have requested absentee ballots and emphasized the importance of voting as a civic duty. This marks a continuation of a tradition that began in 1997, allowing astronauts to vote from space via a secure electronic ballot process facilitated by NASA and election officials in Texas. The astronauts expressed excitement about this unique opportunity during a press conference. The public has shown support for their dedication to democratic participation.