The skier is being pulled by a rope attached to the boat and has to enter the course through the first pair of red gate buoys, go to the outside of all 6 red turn buoys and then exit the course through the last pair of red gate buoys. There are predetermined speeds and rope lengths.
An absentee ballot is a vote cast by someone who is unable or unwilling to attend the official polling station or to which the voter is normally allocated. Numerous methods have been devised to facilitate this.
Early voting is similar to  no-excuse  absentee voting. In many U.S. states the period varies between four and fifty days prior to Election Day. Early voting in person is allowed with no excuse required in 33 U.S. states and in the District of Columbia (D.C.). Absentee voting by mail with no excuse is allowed in 27 states and D.C.. In 20 states, an excuse is required. No-excuse permanent absentee voting is allowed in 6 states and in D.C..