Analysis: 2022 candidates are popping up faster than bluebonnets in Texas
Postal service ordered again to search for mail-in ballots
HOUSTON โ As the counting continues in several states a judge has issued another order to the United States Postal Service to locate any other mail-in ballots that have yet to be delivered. The order is focusing on states that have extended vote delivery deadlines including North Carolina and Pennsylvania. โThat means he can find the postal service in contempt. It means he can call them out.โThe postal service says in order to expedite the process ballots were scanned when they arrived but not when they were sent out of facilities making it appear as if they hadnโt been delivered. โBut beyond that, I think the integrity and the reputation of the United States Postal Service is at stake.โWice says he canโt guarantee the judgeโs orders will make a difference but he believes they can make a difference, which is why the orders were issued.
EXPLAINER: A long night, or more, before president is known
But mail ballots generally require more time to process than ballots cast in person. DIFFERENT STATES, DIFFERENT APPROACHESSome states with extensive experience in using mail-in ballots have adjusted for those extra steps. For example, mail-in ballots from Nevada voters are not due until Nov. 10 if postmarked by Election Day. In North Carolina, mail-in ballots were not due until Nov. 12 if postmarked by Election Day. Expect the Trump campaign's legal team to challenge the validity of many mail-in ballots cast in critical battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Why so many differences? Breaking down the ballot process in the U.S.
These are the types of voting ballots and equipment used throughout the country, according to Ballotpedia:โข Optical Scan Paper Ballot Systems: Voters mark their votes by filling in an oval, box, or similar shape on a paper ballot. Paper ballots are later scanned either at the polling place or at a central location. โข Ballot Marking Devices and Systems: These systems are designed to help disabled voters who might be unable to vote using other methods. Rather than recording the vote into the computerโs memory, the ballot is instead marked on paper and later tabulated manually. โข Punch Card Voting Systems: These devices employ a paper card and a small clipboard device.