Ballots Rejected Due to Mail Delays in Washington and Oregon

Numbers released by the Washington Secretary of State and the Oregon Secretary of State reveal a significant increase in ballots rejected due to late postmarks, a direct consequence of recent changes in United States Postal Operations. The situation has raised concerns among election officials and voters, especially in rural areas where access to drop boxes is more limited.

Why This Issue Is Surfacing Now

The increase in rejected ballots became evident in the August 2024 primaries, when the number of votes discarded due to postmark delays grew by 32% in Washington and 13% in Oregon compared to the previous year. This data was released on the same dates that state authorities warned about the impact of these changes on vote counting.

Postal Operation Changes Affecting Vote Counting

The USPS has consolidated its operations, focusing on regional centers, which can delay the postmarking of ballots even when mailed before Election Day. The mail transportation policy, which now occurs once a day instead of twice, can lead to delays in more distant processing centers. The USPS acknowledged that such changes could result in late postmarks and advised voters to mail their ballots in advance.

Impact on Rural Areas

In Washington, the rate of ballots rejected due to late postmarks exceeded 4% in two rural counties that historically support President Trump. In Stevens County, the rejection rate quadrupled, while in Yakima nearly 4.4% of ballots were discarded. Local auditors point out that changes in mail transportation make it more likely that votes from rural areas will not be counted.

Responses from Election Authorities

• Washington installed 21 additional drop boxes, with approximately $300,000 in reimbursement to counties.
• Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read requested emergency funding to install 20 new drop boxes in hard-to-reach areas.
• Local auditors, such as Lori Larsen of Stevens County, are doubling the number of secure drop boxes to mitigate the problem.

Political and Legal Context

President Trump asked the Supreme Court to overturn a decision that blocked his executive order to restrict mail-in voting, and his administration has criticized mail-in voting as “corrupt.” However, most state officials, including Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and Senator Maria Cantwell, argue that USPS changes are discouraging voters and could lead to vote disenfranchisement.

Conclusion

The rise in ballots rejected due to late postmarks highlights the vulnerability of the mail-in voting system in the face of operational changes. State authorities are seeking solutions, such as more drop boxes and incentives for early submission, while the political debate over mail-in voting reform continues.

With information from AP News, KUOW.