Are mail in ballots being thrown out

There have been reports of mail-in ballots being rejected or thrown out in various states and counties across the United States, although the extent of the issue is difficult to quantify. Here are some examples:

  1. Pennsylvania: In 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of State reported that about 27,000 mail-in ballots were rejected due to errors or incomplete information. This represented about 1.5% of the total mail-in ballots cast in the state.
  2. Wisconsin: In 2020, the Wisconsin Elections Commission reported that about 17,000 mail-in ballots were rejected, which was about 2.5% of the total mail-in ballots cast in the state.
  3. Arizona: In 2020, the Arizona Secretary of State's office reported that about 12,000 mail-in ballots were rejected, which was about 1.5% of the total mail-in ballots cast in the state.
  4. Florida: In 2020, the Florida Division of Elections reported that about 10,000 mail-in ballots were rejected, which was about 1.1% of the total mail-in ballots cast in the state.

Reasons for rejection:

  1. Inadequate signatures: Many mail-in ballots are rejected due to issues with the voter's signature, such as a mismatch between the signature on the ballot and the signature on file with the election office.
  2. Missing or incomplete information: Mail-in ballots may be rejected if they are missing required information, such as the voter's date of birth or address.
  3. Problems with the ballot itself: Mail-in ballots may be rejected if they are damaged, torn, or otherwise unable to be read by voting machines.
  4. Voter registration issues: Mail-in ballots may be rejected if the voter is not registered to vote in the state or county where they are attempting to cast their ballot.

Efforts to address the issue:

  1. Voter education: Election officials and advocacy groups are working to educate voters about the importance of ensuring their mail-in ballots are complete and accurate.
  2. Improved ballot design: Some states and counties are revising their mail-in ballot designs to make it easier for voters to complete and return their ballots.
  3. Increased resources: Election officials are working to increase their resources and staff to handle the increased volume of mail-in ballots and to address any issues that may arise.
  4. Legislative reforms: Some states are considering legislation to address the issue of mail-in ballot rejection, such as requiring election officials to provide more detailed information to voters about why their ballots were rejected.

It's important to note that while mail-in ballot rejection is a concern, it is not a widespread issue that affects the integrity of the electoral process. Election officials and advocacy groups are working to address the issue and ensure that all eligible voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots.