PORTLAND — Voters in areas affected by recent rainy or humid weather have reported issues with ballot return envelopes sealing shut due to moisture.
This problem has emerged in states such as North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Alabama, with officials indicating it’s not an uncommon occurrence during elections.
In Clackamas County, Oregon, elections officials noted they received four reports of self-sealed envelopes from over 320,000 ballots mailed out.
Clackamas County Clerk Catherine McMullen explained that this issue is influenced by weather conditions, stating, As with any self-sealing envelope, when it gets wet it can self-seal.
Trey Forrest, the absentee election coordinator in Alabama’s Jefferson County, mentioned that ballots mailed in mid-September were affected, although there have been no reports of similar issues in recent weeks.
The Pennsylvania Department of State also acknowledged concerns related to humidity.
Voters who receive sealed return envelopes are encouraged to contact their county elections office for guidance, as procedures may differ across counties and states.