SEATTLE (KOMO) — Dozens of undelivered ballots for the upcoming midterm election were found among mail discarded in a Seattle park dumpster.
According to King County Elections (KCE) Chief of Staff Kendall Hodson, a voter called the KCE customer service line to report the incident.
Staff were sent to Golden Gardens Park, where they found two bins of mail in a dumpster.
RELATED COVERAGE
The bins included 92 ballots.
Hodson said KCE reported the incident to the United States Postal Service for investigation.
The ballots have already been reissued to the affected voters.
“Unfortunately, mail theft happens and does not seem to slow down for election season. We tend to hear about a handful of incidents of where ballots are tossed after mail theft in each big election. What we consistently hear from our partners in law enforcement, and is evidenced by the fact they were left behind, is that ballots are typically not the target in mail theft,” said Hodson.
“The U.S. Postal Service is fully committed to the secure and timely delivery of the nation’s Election Mail. We are aware of the reported situation in Seattle and understand that the matter is with the USPS Office of the Inspector General,” The U.S. Postal Service said in a statement.
King County voters who haven’t received a ballot should call 206-296-8683. Hodson said there are other options to get a replacement ballot, which can be found at this link.
Those who find ballots in places they shouldn’t be are asked to email elections@kingcounty.gov or call 206-296-VOTE. If possible, provide a photo and details where the ballots were found.
“One thing that’s important to know is that the security to ensure only a registered voter votes their ballot happens on the back end when we verify the voter’s signature and that they haven’t already returned a ballot,” Hodson said.