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Voter raises alarm over absentee ballot notice; county elections official says ballots will not be voided
Summary
A registered voter told Lincoln County commissioners an elections mailing telling absentee voters to "sign" ballots could cause rejections; the county election representative said staff will allow spoiled ballots and reissue replacements and that the Secretary of State was issuing guidance.
A Lincoln County resident told commissioners May 20 that a county elections mailing had confused absentee voters and risked invalidating ballots; a county election official responded that staff are taking corrective steps and that state guidance and resolution procedures will protect voter intent.
Anne German, identifying herself as a registered voter, said she had received multiple reports that an absentee-mailing notice instructed voters to "sign your ballot," which she feared could lead to ballots being rejected when county election staff open envelopes. German urged the commissioners to issue a public notice to clarify what voters should do and to reassure voters their ballots would be counted. "Those ballots are probably going to be rejected," she said, adding that voters who follow the notice may not learn of rejection until ballots are opened on June 1.
Melanie, who spoke from the elections office, said the notice originated with the state and that county staff did not intend to instruct voters to compromise ballot secrecy. She told the board that two voters who arrived with signed ballots were issued spoiled ballots and given replacements; she also described resolution‑board procedures used when an intent is clear. "So we did put the notice in the ballots. No, we did not have the intention of asking voters to compromise their ballots in any way, shape, or form. And no, it will not void out anybody's ballots," Melanie said. She added that she has run county procedures past the county attorney and expected a public service announcement from the Secretary of State's office.
Why it matters: Public confidence in absentee voting procedures depends on clear instructions and timely public notice. The commenter asked the county to proactively notify voters how to correct errors; the elections office described steps taken for voters who report signed ballots and said resolution procedures and state guidance are in place.
What’s next: Elections staff said they would post a notice and coordinate with the Secretary of State; county staff said they would continue to offer spoiled‑and‑reissue options and that resolution board duplication procedures preserve secrecy when intent is clear.
