A printing error that resulted in the issuance of more than 500,000 mail-in ballots across the state has disrupted the canvassing process in Baltimore.
The Baltimore City Board of Elections convened on Monday to begin counting ballots but was unable to proceed due to the limited number of ballots received.
Clifford Tatum, director of the Baltimore City Board of Elections, said the city has so far received only a small fraction of the replacement ballots and voided originals.
“We received about 3,000 of the initial batch of ballots that were voided due to the printing error, but only about 50 of the replacement ballots have arrived so far,” Tatum said.
According to state officials, over 500,000 corrected ballots were reissued after a vendor error led to voters receiving incorrect materials.
Tatum explained that voters who receive replacement ballots can return them through designated drop boxes, by mail (postmarked on or before Primary Election Day, June 23), or by delivering them directly to election offices.
He noted that ballot processing machines are capable of handling up to 10,000 envelopes per hour once operations resume.
“Our operator would set them up here; they’re fed through this device. There are cameras on both sides that capture both sides of the envelope,” he explained while demonstrating the system.
Although canvassing is currently on hold, election officials continue preparations for early voting scheduled from June 11 to 18, including organizing ballot materials for distribution to polling centers.
Tatum said delays are expected, but officials are working to minimize disruption.
“What we’re hoping for is that every voter will vote a replacement ballot. But if we don’t receive a replacement ballot for the first ballot and the voter returned the first ballot, then we’ll have to go through the process of ensuring that the first ballot — if it’s the proper ballot — can be counted,” he said.
He urged voters to submit their replacement ballots promptly to ensure inclusion in the count, adding that canvassing is expected to resume next week.
Tatum also advised voters planning to cast their ballots in person to first cancel their mail-in ballots with election officials to avoid duplication.
