Nearly 150,000 Mail-In Ballots Rejected in California Primary Election
In California's June primary election, nearly 150,000 mail-in ballots were rejected, a significant increase from previous elections. The primary reason for these rejections was late-arriving ballots, with experts pointing to potential changes in U.S. Postal Service postmark procedures as a…
Philadelphia, PA, July 24, 2026 —
California saw a substantial number of mail-in ballots rejected during its June primary election, with nearly 150,000 ballots not being counted. This figure represents a notable increase compared to previous election cycles.
The predominant reason cited for these rejections was ballots arriving after the designated deadline. Experts have suggested that potential alterations in United States Postal Service postmark procedures may have contributed to the rise in late-arriving ballots.
Beyond late delivery, other factors leading to ballot rejections included discrepancies in voter signatures on the mail-in ballot envelopes when compared to the signatures on file with election officials. Additionally, envelopes containing more than one ballot were also disqualified.
The specific number of ballots rejected due to mismatched signatures or for containing multiple ballots was not provided. Furthermore, the exact impact of any USPS postmark procedure changes on the rejection rate remains a subject of analysis among election observers.
Election officials typically have processes in place to verify mail-in ballots, including signature matching and ensuring timely submission. While mail-in voting has become a more common method for casting ballots, adherence to submission deadlines and proper completion of all required fields on the ballot envelope are crucial for ensuring the ballot is counted.
The full extent of the increase in rejected ballots compared to past elections, beyond the total number of nearly 150,000, was not detailed in the available information. Further details regarding the specific number of rejections for each category and analysis of the contributing factors are anticipated as election results are finalized and reviewed.
Story summarized from the original created by Michael R. Blood on www.inquirer.com, see more information here.
