Map Shows Rise in Rejected Mail Ballots by Trump, Harris Counties
Summary
A recent report shows that many Washington counties that voted for President Donald Trump in 2024 have seen a large increase in mail ballots being rejected for having late postmarks. This rise is linked to changes in U.S. Postal Service (USPS) rules, which affect how and when mail gets postmarked, raising concerns about voters being unfairly blocked from having their votes counted in upcoming elections.Key Facts
- Late postmark ballot rejection rates more than doubled in 19 Washington counties compared to the 2024 primaries.
- The counties with the biggest increases all supported President Trump in 2024, with Mason County seeing a 329.7% increase in rejections.
- Some counties that voted for Kamala Harris also experienced large increases in late postmark ballot rejections.
- USPS changed rules in December clarifying that the postmark date reflects when mail is processed at a sorting center, not when it was first received, impacting ballot deadlines.
- USPS now transports mail only once daily from post offices far from distribution centers, which can delay postmarking.
- Oregon also reported an increase in mail ballots rejected for late postmarks during its May primary.
- Senator Maria Cantwell links the increase in rejected ballots to USPS policy changes and worries this will disenfranchise voters, especially in rural areas.
- President Trump has criticized mail-in voting despite previously using it himself.
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