Washington County canvassers review Feb. 18 primary returns, note rejected absentee ballots and several machine problems

The Washington County Board of Canvassers met Monday, Feb. 24, to canvass returns from the Feb. 18, 2025, spring primary for the state superintendent of public instruction contest and to conduct a selected post-election audit.

The canvassers reviewed precinct tapes and poll books countywide, recording precinct-level totals and noting procedural issues that county election staff said they will follow up on. The board found multiple rejected absentee ballots — typically for missing voter or witness signatures or incomplete witness addresses — a precinct that experienced ballot jamming requiring a technician, and one central-count bag that initially did not include a rejected-absentee envelope for District 4.

Why it matters: canvass proceedings confirm precinct-level counts and document handling problems that can require follow-up, corrections to election records, or additional audits. Washington County staff said documenting issues and having clerks review returns with canvass staff at drop-off reduced later work and helped surface errors promptly.

Key findings and actions - Rejected absentee ballots: Across multiple precincts canvassers recorded rejected absentee…