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Ballot Counting

All articles tagged with #ballot counting

NC Approves Updated Mail-In Ballot Rules Ahead of Election Day
politics1 month ago

NC Approves Updated Mail-In Ballot Rules Ahead of Election Day

North Carolina's State Board of Elections approved updated, non-permanent guidance for counting mail-in ballots just hours before ballots go out, including spoiling ballots if the inner envelope isn’t sealed, a signature mismatch, or more than one ballot in the return envelope; voters may be contacted for replacements, and in-person delivery remains limited to the voter or a near relative/guardian. The plan is to standardize counting while awaiting legislative review before becoming permanent, with deadlines to request absentee ballots by Oct. 20 and ballots due by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3, plus BallotTrax tracking.

politics1 month ago

Democrat Urges Faster Ballot Counting Ahead of the Midterms

Rep. Joe Morelle, the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee, urged states to hire more election staff to speed up ballot counting while keeping procedures accurate and fair, saying faster tallies can curb conspiracy theories about delays. He noted Democrats have wargamed over 150 potential interference scenarios and signaled backing for additional resources for local election offices and a bipartisan discussion on voter IDs as part of a broader elections package.

California’s deliberate vote-counting under fire: experts defend safeguards
politics4 months ago

California’s deliberate vote-counting under fire: experts defend safeguards

California’s slow post-election tally is explained by an accuracy-first system: mail ballots with electronic and human signature checks, plus a 22-day window to cure ballot errors. While this protects every vote, it slows results; potential fixes include funding for processing, shorter cure periods, and more walk-in ballot processing. The episode also highlights how misinformation can outpace corrective messaging in a polarized environment.

politics4 months ago

California and DOJ clash over unfolding election-fraud probe amid ongoing vote count

Federal prosecutorssaid they’re investigating alleged voter fraud in California as ballots continue to be counted from the state’s primary, a disclosure California officials criticized; authorities say an assistant U.S. attorney attended a LA ballot-processing center in coordination with the FBI, while California leaders pledge to protect voters and uphold state election laws that count ballots postmarked by Election Day, despite Donald Trump’s ongoing attacks on California's mail-in voting.

DOJ sends prosecutor to monitor LA ballot counting amid Trump’s baseless claims
politics4 months ago

DOJ sends prosecutor to monitor LA ballot counting amid Trump’s baseless claims

The Justice Department dispatched an Assistant U.S. Attorney to Los Angeles to observe ballot processing after Trump claimed the U.S. Attorney’s Office was investigating the count. The observer joined a public observation program at the Ballot Processing Center, receiving an overview and walking through the operations. LA elections officials said ballot counting is open to public observation, and California law allows up to 30 days for counting and certification. The DOJ notes its long tradition of monitors at election sites to enforce voting laws, while LA officials said there have been no complaints of federal misconduct; the report notes the development of the story.

California's primary tally stretched as millions of ballots await counting
politics4 months ago

California's primary tally stretched as millions of ballots await counting

About 3.6 million ballots remain uncounted in California's primary as of June 5, with roughly 5.6 million processed statewide; in Los Angeles County, around 1.4 million ballots have been counted and roughly 700,000 still need processing. Ballots postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days are eligible, and officials provide daily updates until the count is complete. Experts say the slow pace reflects careful verification of mail ballots and signatures rather than errors, and results for tight races such as governor and the L.A. mayoral race could take several more days.

Supreme Court Lets Challenge to Illinois’ Late-Ballot Rule Move Forward
politics8 months ago

Supreme Court Lets Challenge to Illinois’ Late-Ballot Rule Move Forward

SCOTUS, in a 7-2 ruling authored by Chief Justice Roberts, revived Rep. Michael Bost’s challenge to Illinois’ 14-day late-ballot rule, holding that a candidate has a concrete stake and standing to challenge the vote-counting rules. The case is sent back to lower courts for further proceedings; the court did not rule on the law’s legality. Justice Barrett concurred with the outcome but not the reasoning, while Justices Sotomayor and Jackson dissented, warning of broad implications for election litigation.

us-politics9 months ago

Court lets candidates challenge late-ballot counting

The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that candidates can sue in advance over vote-counting practices, allowing Rep. Mike Bost to challenge Illinois’ rule that counts ballots postmarked by Election Day if they arrive within two weeks. The decision resolves standing for election disputes—being a candidate suffices—without deciding whether late-arriving ballots violate federal law; Justices Barrett and Kagan concurred, Jackson and Sotomayor dissented, and Mississippi mail-ballot cases remain on the docket.

Supreme Court Considers Challenges to Mail-In Ballot Laws and Election Litigation
law1 year ago

Supreme Court Considers Challenges to Mail-In Ballot Laws and Election Litigation

The U.S. Supreme Court heard a case involving Illinois voting rules, where Rep. Michael Bost challenged the constitutionality of allowing mail-in ballots to be counted up to 14 days after Election Day. The justices questioned the standing of candidates to sue based on their chances of winning, with skepticism expressed about the broad ability of any candidate to challenge election rules. The case highlights debates over election law and candidate rights to challenge voting procedures.

Investigation Reveals Neglect of Absentee Ballots in Madison Election Office
politics1 year ago

Investigation Reveals Neglect of Absentee Ballots in Madison Election Office

A Wisconsin Elections Commission investigation found that former Madison City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl unlawfully failed to ensure nearly 200 absentee ballots were counted in the 2024 presidential election, neglecting urgent action and proper tracking, which led to her resignation and new procedural reforms in Madison.

California's Vote Count Delay: What's Taking So Long?
politics1 year ago

California's Vote Count Delay: What's Taking So Long?

California's slow ballot counting process is delaying the final results of the U.S. House of Representatives election, with over 5 million ballots still unprocessed. The delay is attributed to the state's thorough verification process for vote-by-mail ballots, which includes signature matching and opportunities for voters to correct issues. California allows ballots postmarked by election day to be counted if received within seven days, contributing to the extended timeline. The state has 30 days to finalize results, with 11 congressional seats still undecided, impacting the balance of power in the House.

Gabe Evans Secures Victory in Colorado's 8th District After Tight Race
politics1 year ago

Gabe Evans Secures Victory in Colorado's 8th District After Tight Race

Democratic Rep. Yadira Caraveo conceded to Republican Gabe Evans in the race for Colorado's 8th Congressional District, marking a significant political shift as Evans flips the seat. Caraveo, Colorado's first Latina congresswoman, expressed gratitude to her supporters and emphasized her commitment to finishing her term. Evans, a state representative and former police officer, thanked his supporters and highlighted his readiness to represent the district. The election faced delays due to a snowstorm affecting ballot processing, with over 1,000 ballots still outstanding.