READING, Pa. – The Berks County Board of Elections met Thursday in Reading to address reports of mail-in ballot envelopes arriving sealed shut, affecting a number of voters ahead of the election.
Melody Jones in Spring Township encountered a problem when she tried to complete her ballot. She said the yellow envelope used to enclose the ballot was sealed shut, making it difficult to open. The outer mailing envelope, which holds the yellow ballot envelope, was also stuck shut.
Anne Norton, director of election services in Berks County, said only a handful of the more than 26,000 ballots mailed so far have been affected.
The elections office is advising voters on how to handle the envelopes and offering replacements for those who cannot open them without causing damage.
Norton is encouraging voters to carefully open the sealed portions of the envelopes. If an envelope needs to be taped closed after the ballot is inserted, that is acceptable.
Norton said rain or humidity may have contributed to the envelopes becoming sealed.
Voters who cannot open their envelopes without damaging them can contact the Berks County elections office to request replacements.
Those who use tape to reseal an envelope should not place initials or a signature on the tape, Norton said.
Jones was able to tape her envelopes back together and mail in her ballot. As she waits for her vote to be counted, Jones hopes other voters will take the time to participate in the election.
“Voting is one of the biggest privileges of living in this country,” Jones said. “I think it’s so important that everyone get out there and help elect officials that care about the constituents and the country.”
Norton also reminded residents that the deadline to register to vote or change their voter registration is Monday, Oct. 19.