California rejected nearly 150,000 mail-in ballots in its June primary, with late arrivals and signature mismatches being the primary culprits. This marks a significant increase and raises concerns for the upcoming November election.
Record Ballot Rejections
Nearly 150,000 mail-in ballots were rejected in California's June primary, marking a significant increase from previous elections. The rejections were primarily due to late arrivals and signature mismatches, according to data from the California Secretary of State's office.
Core Facts
- 148,241 ballots rejected: This represents 1.73% of all mail-in ballots cast, up from 108,982 (1.56%) in the 2024 primary and 105,818 (1.56%) in the 2022 primary.
- Lateness and signatures: 93,479 ballots were rejected for arriving too late, while 43,977 were rejected due to signature mismatches. Together, these two issues accounted for over 92% of all rejections.
Deeper Dive & Context
Postmark and USPS Concerns
The primary driver of late rejections is ballots postmarked after Election Day, rendering them ineligible for counting. Kim Alexander, president of the nonpartisan California Voter Foundation, suggested that changes within the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) may be contributing to the timing of postmarks. State officials recommend mailing ballots at least five days before Election Day to ensure timely delivery.
Signature Verification Process
Election officials compare signatures on ballots with those on voter registration cards. If a signature is missing or does not match, voters are notified and given a deadline to fix the issue. This process aims to prevent fraud while ensuring valid votes are counted.
County Variations
Rejection rates varied significantly by county. Tulare County had the highest rejection rate at 3.52%, while Placer County had the lowest at 0.93%. Los Angeles County, the most populous, reported a 1.34% rejection rate.
Broader Implications
The surge in rejections raises concerns about voter access and the efficiency of mail-in voting ahead of the November general election. Experts emphasize the importance of voters mailing ballots early and ensuring signatures are up-to-date to avoid disqualification.
Additional Rejection Reasons
Other reasons for ballot rejections included missing signatures (8,300), no photo ID (580), duplicate voting (740), missing ballots (640), and multiple ballots in envelopes (450). These accounted for a small fraction of the total rejections.