Hundreds of thousands of voters in Maryland will receive new mail-in ballots following a statewide ballot distribution error ahead of the June 23 primary election, according to WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates.
Election officials confirmed that some voters were mistakenly sent ballots linked to the wrong political party. Because the state cannot accurately identify all affected individuals, officials have decided to reissue all mail-in ballots sent out before May 14.
The issue is limited to voters who received their ballots prior to that date.
Jared DeMarinis, the state administrator of elections, assured residents that efforts are underway to correct the problem and maintain public confidence in the process.
“Please be assured that we are actively answering phones and responding to emails and will remain transparent as we navigate through this situation. We will make every effort to ensure that everyone affected knows the situation and how to cast their ballot. Every vote matters, your voice will be heard, and our elections will remain verified, open, transparent, and secure,” he said in a statement.
The State Board of Elections said the error originated from a third-party vendor responsible for ballot distribution.
Officials added that affected voters will be directly notified, while those with concerns are encouraged to contact the State Board of Elections for clarification and assistance.
