Delays for mail-in ballots

Two weeks prior to election day, some people in various states had yet to receive their mail-in ballots.

According to a recent article published in the Detroit Free Press, out of 64 letters and packages sent short distances within the battleground states (states that equal support for both candidates) since mid-September, 14 of them had longer delivery times than the U.S. Postal Service’s three day service standard for first class local mail. Although most mail-in ballot issues occured in Michigan, they also arose in other states, including Wisconsin, Florida, and Ohio. 

“Voting now is trying to be displayed as difficult for many people,” freshman Srijani Chakraborty said. In Pennsylvania, there have been more than 2.9 million requests for mail-in ballots, with delays still lingering throughout the state. In such a short period before the election, many states are scrambling to get their mail-in ballots on time as delays continue.

Many hopeful voters are afraid that they will not receive their absentee ballots in time to vote for the election. U.S. Postal Service records show that delivery delays have persisted throughout the country, raising the possibility that ballots could potentially be rejected if they arrive too late. Suburban districts in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Ohio all performed below the national average for on-time mail delivery. “As these delays continue across the country just weeks before the upcoming presidential election, it is incumbent upon you to take immediate and necessary actions to fully restore on-time mail delivery,” Michigan Senator Gary Peters said. 

According to NBC News, earlier this month in Ohio, 50,000 incorrect ballots were sent out due to a machine error. As a result, hundreds of thousands of absentee ballots were delayed due to overwhelming ballot requests. Now, Ohio is allowing for ballots to be counted if they arrive up to ten days after the election. Ballots must be postmarked the day before election day, no later. 

With the presidential election coming up soon and delays for mail-in ballots surging in various states, many hopeful voters are not going to be able to vote in time. “In some battleground states, where the numbers are close, the delays may affect the electoral college vote,” Chakraborty said. 

According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Postal Service urges voters to turn in their ballots at least a week before their state’s due date. With the delays still going through the country, this may not be enough time for people to turn in their ballots.