Washington County board canvasses Feb. 18 spring primary returns, notes rejected absentee envelopes and a few machine issues

The Washington County Board of Canvas met Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, to canvass returns from the Feb. 18 spring primary election, reading precinct tape totals, noting rejected absentee envelopes and operational issues at several polling places, and conducting a post-election audit that matched the vote tapes.

Staff member 2, a staff member, opened the session saying, "We are doing the canvas for the returns of the spring primary election that was held on 02/18/2025." The board read results precinct by precinct for the state superintendent of public instruction race and other local contests, documented seals and inspector statements, and identified rejected absentee ballots and equipment incidents to be noted in the minutes.

Why it matters: The canvass is the formal review that verifies precinct tapes, inspector statements and absentee envelopes before results are finalized. Rejected absentee envelopes and machine problems can require follow-up with clerks and, in a small number of…