Some Bucks Co. Voters Receiving Already Sealed Ballot Envelopes

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Some Bucks County voters who requested mail-in ballots are finding their return and secrecy envelopes already sealed shut upon arrival, ProPublica's Electionland reports.

County spokesperson Larry King confirmed to ProPublica that the elections office has heard from several voters who have received their return and secrecy envelopes sealed shut, the likely cause being humid weather.

Rather than requesting a new ballot, voters can simply open the envelopes and reseal them with tape, King said, and the ballot won't be disqualified.

Bucks County resident Mindy Bence, who described herself as disabled and immunocompromised, knew she wanted to cast her ballot in the 2020 election by mail.

When her sealed envelopes came in the mail, Bence was afraid to open them, fearing it would cause her ballot to be discounted. She contacted the county elections office, which instructed her to open the sealed envelopes, put her ballot inside and tape them shut.

Concerned that her ballot would appear tampered with, Bence contacted ProPublica's Electionland, which is taking nationwide tips about voting problems.

Despite King's assurances, Bence decided to go in person to pick up a new absentee ballot, which contained fresh, unopened envelopes.

Election officials are predicting about 3 million Pennsylvanians will vote by mail in the Nov. 3 election. In Bucks County, more than 166,000 mail-in and absentee ballots were sent to voters last week.

In response to long wait times, extended hours began Wednesday for Bucks County's three secure ballot drop boxes in Doylestown, Quakertown and Levittown, which are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

All mail-in and absentee ballots must be postmarked no later than Nov. 3 and be received by the board of elections no later than Nov. 6 to be counted.

For registered voters, the deadline to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is Oct. 27. The application must be received by your county election office by 5 p.m. that day.

RELATED: Key 2020 Voting Deadlines In Pennsylvania

Patch is partnering with ProPublica’s Electionland project to report on problems voters encounter at the polls on Nov. 3 and we want to know if you see any shenanigans. Here’s how you can report what you see to Electionland:

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