Ballot rejection rates due to late postmarks have surged in Washington and Oregon, raising alarms over potential disruptions to vote-by-mail processes as the Postal Service adjusts operations ahead of the midterm elections. Newly disclosed data underscores growing worries about whether mail-in voting systems can handle increased demand without compromising deadlines. Election officials and advocates are closely monitoring the situation as voters rely heavily on mail ballots in these states. The developments come as postal service changes could impact thousands of ballots already in transit.
The number of ballots rejected for late postmarks has soared in the vote-by-mail states of Washington and Oregon, according to newly released data highlighting concerns about recent changes in U.S. Postal Service operations ahead of this fall's pivotal midterm election.
