Mail-in Ballots Stolen From California Post Office
The theft in Daly City follows a similar incident in Sacramento, raising concerns about election security.
Mail-in ballots have been stolen from a U.S. Postal Service office in Daly City, California, adding to fears of election fraud after another ballot theft last week.
The San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder’s Office confirmed the theft, which included mail-in ballots intended for county voters. The office and the U.S. Postal Service are currently investigating the incident. The exact number of stolen ballots remains unknown.
County officials are urging voters to monitor the status of their ballots through the California Secretary of State’s website. Voters who believe their ballot may have been affected can request a replacement online. The county stated that its election division has established procedures to ensure that only one ballot per voter is counted, with safeguards in place to prevent duplicate votes.
This incident occurred approximately one week after a postal truck in Sacramento County was targeted in a broad-daylight heist. Video footage showed an individual opening the truck's rear compartment and taking mail. A U.S. Postal Inspector confirmed that ballots may have been among the stolen items. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the Sacramento case.
California's mail-in voting for the November election began on October 5, and ballots must be postmarked by Election Day to be counted. These recent thefts have heightened concerns about the security of mail-in ballots, particularly in light of past efforts to restrict mail-in voting.
"People need to have confidence that their vote-by-mail ballot will reach its intended destination, especially when it comes to something as fundamental as their right to vote," San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa told the Palo Alto Daily Post. "We need a complete investigation, stronger protections for the mail, and straightforward communication with the public. With the midterm elections approaching, we cannot afford to leave residents wondering whether their ballots or other important mail are safe. This is simply unacceptable."