Middlesex County elections staff presented the board with an inventory of mail‑in ballots that failed processing checks, and commissioners moved to reject most of the enumerated categories while keeping signature‑mismatch cases for individual review.

Staff read a categorized list of ballot problems during the Nov. 5 meeting. Items recorded by staff included, among others: 84 ballots with no ballot enclosed; three cases described as "error exceeded limit"; 6 ballots associated with deceased voters; 13 exposed ballots with no certificate; 36 with an incomplete bearer portion; five with missing domicile information; 31 where the voter was reported as moved out of the county; 23 with no ID provided; one instance of a vote recorded on a sample ballot; multiple instances where family members returned another person's ballot accompanied by a letter; and a set of ballots referred to the prosecutor after a voter was reported deceased prior to the election. Staff also reported signature‑related totals later in the meeting: 161 printed‑signature issues, 224 missing signatures, and 64 "no match" signature adjudications.

After discussion about curing processes and whether notification or an additional opportunity to cure would change outcomes, a commissioner moved to reject the ballots enumerated in the staff list except for the signature‑mismatch cases, which the board will examine individually. The motion was seconded. Commissioners indicated assent and the board proceeded with that direction; staff will continue individual review of signature‑mismatch cases and follow the established cure/notification process for voters when applicable.

Commissioners discussed potential process changes, including whether the office should provide earlier notification or a dedicated cure window so that some ballots could be made valid if the voter takes corrective action. Staff reminded the board that failure to respond to a notice is not by itself sufficient to remove a voter; a further affirmative record (such as registration or voting in another state) is typically necessary before deactivation. The board asked staff to return with any recommended process changes at a future meeting.