Sunita Williams And Butch Wilmore To Vote In US Presidential Election From Space

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are planning to cast their vote in the upcoming US presidential election from space. This comes after the planned 8-day mission of astronauts aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft was extended indefinitely due to technical issues. Both astronauts are anticipating a return to Earth in February next tear via SpaceX's Crew Dragon. Notably, the US election will be held on November 5.

"It’s a very important duty, and I’m looking forward to voting from space," said Sunita Williams in a video press conference from the International Space Station on Friday. Meanwhile, Butch Wilmore said that he had already submitted his request for a ballot. He also highlighted the importance of civic duty, even while in orbit. 

Since 1997, NASA astronauts have been able to vote from the International Space Station through a process that involves transmitting electronic ballots to and from the orbiting laboratory, reported CNBC. The report also mentioned that ballots are beamed up to the station, where astronauts fill them out before sending them back to Earth. It is worth mentioning that the ballot is encrypted and only accessible by the astronaut and the clerk to preserve the vote’s integrity. In 2020, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins also voted from the ISS during her mission.