Ballot curing
{{Short description|U.S. voting process}}
{{Globalize|date=May 2025|2=US}}
Ballot curing (ballot cure) is the process of correcting minor errors, typically involving voter identification issues with mail-in or absentee ballots. Ballot curing allows for certain technical mistakes to be fixed, and potentially make a difference in a close election by counting every legal vote.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-13 |title=Some California House races haven't been decided yet. Campaigns are making sure every ballot counts |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2024-11-13/ballot-curing-california-counts-votes-close-house-races |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}
Not all states allow for ballot curing, and for those that do, the rules vary state by state. States that do have a process have lower rates of rejected mail ballots.{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Ashley |date=September 27, 2022 |title=Voting explainer: In many states, there's a process to fix an error with your ballot |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/09/27/1125179062/voting-explainer-in-many-states-theres-a-process-to-fix-an-error-with-your-ballo |website=NPR}}{{Cite web |last=Millhiser |first=Ian |date=2024-11-06 |title=How do I fix my ballot if it is tossed out? |url=https://www.vox.com/2024-elections/382799/ballot-curing-mailed-absentee-ballots-fix-signature |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Vox |language=en-US}} Ballot curing is an effective mechanism for election accuracy and also improves voter trust and participation.{{Cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Lesley |date=February 29, 2024 |title=Elections Q&As for Lawmakers: How Do Ballot Curing and Ballot Tracking Affect Election Integrity? |url=https://www.ncsl.org/state-legislatures-news/details/elections-qas-for-lawmakers-how-do-ballot-curing-and-ballot-tracking-affect-election-integrity |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=National Conference of State Legislatures |language=en-US}} Ballot curing systems help legitimate voters by providing safeguards.{{Cite web |last=Underhill |first=Wendy |date=June 20, 2024 |title=Elections Defined: Ballot Curing Provides Safeguard |url=https://www.ncsl.org/state-legislatures-news/details/elections-defined-ballot-curing-provides-safeguard |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=National Conference of State Legislatures |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Chin |first=Declan |date=2021-12-16 |title=A Deep Dive into Absentee Ballot Rejection in the 2020 General Election {{!}} Elections Performance Index |url=https://elections-blog.mit.edu/articles/deep-dive-absentee-ballot-rejection-2020-general-election |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=elections-blog.mit.edu |language=en}}
History
There has been a shift to mail-in voting since the late 1970s. By 2022, 21% of votes cast were by mail.{{Cite web |last=Gronke |first=Paul |date=2024-11-06 |title=What is 'ballot curing'? Election expert explains the method for fixing errors made when voters cast their ballots |url=https://theconversation.com/what-is-ballot-curing-election-expert-explains-the-method-for-fixing-errors-made-when-voters-cast-their-ballots-243009 |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}} Mail-in ballots are more likely to have errors as in-person voting has election workers available to answer questions or help resolve technical issues at the time of voting. In 2020, about 560,000 U.S. ballots (about 1%) returned by mail were rejected as having identity verification errors, resulting in those votes not being counted. Those uncounted votes could make a difference in a close election.
In 2020, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) published recommendations on how to administer and secure election infrastructure in the United States. They suggest tiered steps for reviewing signatures starting with software based systems, human inspection, then a final step with a bipartisan review team to make a final determination of signature validity.{{Cite web |title=Signature Verification and Cure Process |url=https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/signature-verification_cure_process_final_508.pdf |website=cisa.gov}}{{Cite web |date=July 28, 2020 |title=MAIL-IN VOTING IN 2020 INFRASTRUCTURE RISK ASSESSMENT |url=https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/cisa-mail-in-voting-infrastructure-risk-assessment_508.pdf |website=cisa.gov}}
As of November 6, 2020, there has not been evidence that ballot curing is being used to commit election fraud.{{Cite web |last=Patkin |first=Abby |date=November 6, 2020 |title=Fact check: Georgia ballot curing is not election fraud |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/11/06/fact-check-georgia-ballot-curing-not-election-fraud/6189820002/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}
A 2024 Washington State University study found that a third of rejected ballots have a signature that has a discrepancy with the voter’s state ID and one in eight rejected ballots are missing a signature. Of the ballots that are challenged for signature discrepancies, 60% are fixed and counted prior to cerfication of the election.
Reason
The cause of ballot challenges can be incomplete ID information, lacking a witness signature, a missing signature or mismatched signatures. Some explanation for signature discrepancies include "voter signatures change" over time due to health issues or aging, some newer and younger voters did not learn cursive when they were in grammar school nor practice formal signing as with bank checks, expired ID, an outdated address on file, recently married voters may not have updated their name on their voter registration, and voters who may have surnames that do not conform to simple first and last English names used on their driver’s license.{{Cite web |last=Karson |first=Kendall |date=November 5, 2020 |title=What does it mean to 'cure' your ballot? Quirky rules that allow voters to make sure their vote is counted |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/cure-ballot-quirky-rules-voters-make-vote-counted/story?id=74042891 |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=ABC News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-11-06 |title=Ballot 'curing' is common for mail-in, provisional ballots, but how does it work? |url=https://www.wcpo.com/news/election-2020/ballot-curing-is-common-for-mail-in-provisional-ballots-but-need-might-increase-this-year |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=WCPO 9 Cincinnati |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-11-08 |title=13,000 ballots remain uncounted across Nevada due to signature issues |url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/politics/13000-ballots-remain-uncounted-across-nevada-due-to-signature-issues/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=KLAS |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Deng |first=Grace |date=2024-10-27 |title=How you can help prevent your ballot from getting rejected |url=https://washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/how-you-can-help-prevent-your-ballot-from-getting-rejected/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Washington State Standard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Swann |first=Sara |date=November 8, 2024 |title=Nevada's ballot 'curing' process fuels misleading claims |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/nov/08/threads-posts/nevadas-ballot-curing-process-fuels-misleading-cla/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=@politifact |language=en-US}}
In 2020, the MIT Election Data and Science Lab found that: 2.5% of first-time voters had their ballots rejected, compared to 1.3% of experienced voters.{{Cite web |last1=Huey-Burns |first1=Caitlin |last2=Brewster |first2=Adam |date=2020-08-04 |title=Why some mail-in ballots are rejected and how to make sure your vote counts |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-mail-in-ballot-rejected-voting-counts/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} Elderly voters are also more likely to make mistakes that could be corrected.
Curing process
= Notification process =
Two-thirds of U.S. states require election officials to notify voters of a missing signature or a signature discrepancy, and stipulate that voters must be given an opportunity to correct it.{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2024 |title=Table 15: States With Signature Cure Processes |url=https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-15-states-with-signature-cure-processes |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=www.ncsl.org}}
Each state has specific reasons that are valid for curing consideration typically involving mismatched or missing voter signatures, and not using required security envelopes. For the Notification process, states' requirements range from "make reasonable efforts to contact the voter" in Arizona,{{Cite web |last=Fischer |first=Howard |date=2024-11-11 |title=Court upholds shortened deadline to fix ballot signature issues |url=https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2024/11/11/court-upholds-shortened-deadline-to-fix-ballot-signature-issues/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Arizona Capitol Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Kwan |first=Alaina |date=2024-11-07 |title=Ballot 'curing' process underway in Maricopa County; here's how it works |url=https://www.azfamily.com/2024/11/07/ballot-curing-process-underway-maricopa-county-heres-how-it-works/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=AZfamily |language=en}} to "shall make an attempt to notify the voter" in Hawaii,{{Cite web |last=Donnelly |first=Christine |date=2019-11-19 |title=Kokua Line: Voter will be alerted if ballot envelope raises red flag |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2019/11/19/hawaii-news/kokua-line/kokua-line-voter-will-be-alerted-if-ballot-envelope-raises-red-flag/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |language=en}} to "must contact" voter in California. Time frames and deadlines are typically defined for notification. Notification methods are specified such as by first-class mail, letter or notice, electronic mail or email, telephone and voicemail, text message, or not specified. The Notification process may include an option to send out a replacement ballot. The states' regulations identify the election official responsible for taking the prescribed actions.{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-11-08 |title=Mohave County Recorder Addresses Voter Concerns Over Early Ballot Signature Confirmation Issues |url=https://www.thebee.news/mohave-county-recorder-addresses-voter-concerns-over-early-ballot-signature-confirmation-issues/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=The Buzz |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Palmer |first=Kathryn |date=March 19, 2024 |title=Prop 1 opponents revive campaign after conceding Super Tuesday vote. Here's why |url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/03/19/did-prop-1-pass-in-california/73023364007/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=The Desert Sun |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-11-17 |title=Final Plumas ballots to be counted this Friday |url=https://www.plumasnews.com/final-plumas-ballots-to-be-counted-this-friday/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Plumas News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Prentzel |first=Olivia |date=2022-11-11 |title=Thousands of Colorado ballots are rejected every year. Here's what happens when there's a problem with yours. |url=https://coloradosun.com/2022/11/10/colorado-ballot-curing/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=The Colorado Sun |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-10-24 |title=Chester County Board of Elections may take up 'ballot curing' ahead of Nov. 8 election [Updated] |url=https://www.dailylocal.com/2022/10/24/the-chester-county-board-of-elections-may-take-up-ballot-curing-ahead-of-general-election/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Daily Local |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Rinde |first=Meir |date=2024-10-26 |title=Cure your ballot: 3,000+ Philly mail voters have a chance to fix errors |url=https://billypenn.com/2024/10/26/cure-mail-ballot-philadelphia-election/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Billy Penn at WHYY |language=en-US}}
When a ballot is challenged, both government election officials and other interested parties, including voting rights groups, candidate campaigns, and political parties, may attempt to contact the voter. Sometimes organizations independently contact voters that were identified in a state's database of challenged ballots. These non-governmental organizations include Common Cause, Loud Light, Movement Voter Project (MVP), NextGen America, Unite Here, and VoteRiders.{{Cite web |last=Dunlap |first=Stanley |date=2024-11-08 |title=Georgia's record early voting, post-2020 stress tests helped to defuse election rules overhaul |url=https://georgiarecorder.com/2024/11/08/georgias-record-early-voting-post-2020-stress-tests-helped-to-defuse-election-rules-overhaul/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Georgia Recorder |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Fessler |first=Pam |date=October 19, 2020 |title=Race For A (Ballot) Cure: The Scramble To Fix Absentee-Ballot Problems |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/19/924705412/race-for-a-ballot-cure-the-scramble-to-fix-minor-absentee-ballot-problems |website=NPR}}{{Cite news |last=Jacobson |first=Jodi |date=2024-11-01 |title=Grassroots Groups Know How to Win This Campaign—Do They Have What They Need to Pull It Off? |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/harris-walz-campaign-grassroots-organizing/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |work=The Nation |language=en-US |issn=0027-8378}}{{Cite web |last=Bahl |first=Andrew |date=November 7, 2022 |title=Brief legal battle in Kansas county over early voting records appears to be resolved |url=https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/11/07/national-group-wins-access-to-butler-county-kansas-early-voting-records-2022-election/69620192007/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=The Topeka Capital-Journal |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Abramsky |first=Sasha |date=2021-06-14 |title=How Unite Here Turned the West's Biggest Red State Blue |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/unite-here-arizona/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |work=The Nation |language=en-US |issn=0027-8378}}{{Cite news |date=2020-11-05 |title=Ballot Curing: An Election Protection Tool for 2020 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-05/ballot-curing-an-election-protection-tool-for-2020 |access-date=2024-11-21 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}
Note that the actual vote is not known at the time of notification.
= Correction process =
The correction process and requirements vary by state. Corrections include completing and returning an affidavit along with a copy of voter identification, sending a form or document, and submitting a whole new ballot.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-06 |title=What does it mean to 'cure' a ballot? |url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/does-mean-cure-ballot-234430457.html |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=WCPO - Cincinnati Scripps |language=en-CA |via=Yahoo News}}{{Cite web |date=2020-11-06 |title=What is a 'cured' ballot? |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-is-a-cured-ballot |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=PBS News |language=en-us}}
In North Carolina, before Election Day, election officials, are to "spoil" a ballot if it is submitted without a witness signature and supply another ballot to the voter.
Pennsylvania is "unique in that it has no statewide standard for ballot curing and instead allows each of the state's 67 counties to set their own policies."{{Cite web |last=Castro |first=Gina |title=Pennsylvania's murky ballot-curing process haunts elections, could affect midterms |url=https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/elections/state/2022/11/06/mail-in-ballots-pennsylvania-curing-process-midterm-election/69611193007/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Erie Times-News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |author=MARC LEVY|agency=Associated Press |date=2023-03-24 |title=Pennsylvania judge dismisses latest GOP mail ballot lawsuit |url=https://www.wtae.com/article/pennsylvania-mail-voting-ballot-curing-lawsuit/43402809 |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=WTAE |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-04-15 |title=Mail ballots in Pennsylvania, explained |url=https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2024/04/pennsylvania-mail-ballots-election-2024-voting-fraud-donald-trump-undated-lawsuits/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Spotlight PA |language=en-us}}
In the Nevada 2022 General Election, 17,734, or 3.3% of all returned mail-in ballots, were flagged for curing. Of those two thirds were successfully cured with votes being counted.{{Cite web |title=Signature Cure General Election Turnout |url=https://www.nvsos.gov/sos/home/showpublisheddocument/11431/638278663219500000 |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=www.nvsos.gov}}{{Cite web |date=2022-11-10 |title=As margins tighten in Nevada elections, advocates look to signature curing for edge |url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/as-margins-tighten-in-nevada-elections-advocates-look-to-signature-curing-for-edge |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=The Nevada Independent |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-09-12 |title=Election regulations again draw GOP pushback; allow hand counting, with limits |url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/election-regulations-draw-gop-pushback-again-limited-hand-counting-regulation-returns |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=The Nevada Independent |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-30 |title=2024 election: How Clark County counts your vote |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/2024-election-how-clark-county-counts-your-vote-3026052/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |language=en-US}}
= Verification =
Voters cannot change their votes during the curing process. The verification process only validates identification challenges. In California, results are updated until election certification.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-19 |title=What are uncured ballots, and how can they affect election results? |url=https://www.kget.com/news/politics/your-local-elections/what-are-uncured-ballots-and-how-can-they-affect-election-results/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=KGET 17 |language=en-US}}
Voters can verify the status of their updated ballot by checking on the state election website.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-05 |title=Was there a mistake with your mail-in ballot? You can still fix it with a 'cure' |url=https://abc11.com/what-does-it-mean-to-cure-a-ballot-curing-georgia-north-carolina/7677065/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=ABC11 Raleigh-Durham |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Emerson |first=Elaine |date=2024-10-25 |title=Here's how to check to see if your ballot needs its signature 'cured' |url=https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/10/25/heres-how-check-see-if-your-ballot-needs-its-signature-cured/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=fox5vegas |language=en}}
Impact on Elections
A Votebeat and Spotlight PA analysis found that Pennsylvania counties allowing voters to fix errors on mail ballots had lower rejection rates in the 2024 general election. Statewide, 0.57% of mail ballots were rejected, down from previous elections. Counties permitting ballot “curing” had a rejection rate of 0.49%, compared to 0.59% in counties without the policy, meaning 17% fewer ballots were rejected in curing counties.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-09 |title=Letting voters fix mail ballots cuts rejection rates. Not all Pa. counties allow it. |url=https://www.wesa.fm/politics-government/2025-02-09/pennnsylvania-mail-ballot-curing-rejection-rates |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=90.5 WESA |language=en}}
References
External links
- Ballot curing rules by state by [https://ballotpedia.org/Ballot_curing_rules_by_state,_2024 Ballotpedia], [https://www.voteamerica.org/ballot-curing/ Vote America]
- [https://www.csg.org/2022/09/20/ballot-curing-101/ Ballot Curing 101] (September 2022) by The Council of State Governments
- [https://electioninnovation.org/research/how-a-ballot-becomes-a-vote/ Explainer: How a Ballot becomes a Vote] (October 2024) by The Center for Election Innovation & Research
- [https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/electionofficials/postelection/Guide_to_the_Canvass_EAC.pdf Guide to the Canvass], p. 9-10 (March 2022) by Election Assistance Commission