The Erie County Board of Elections announced today that voters would not have to place postage on the return envelopes for their ballots this fall. All ballot return envelopes sent to voters this fall are postage paid. The envelopes are clearly marked:
NO POSTAGE STAMP NECESSARY
POSTAGE HAS BEEN PREPAID
However, due to a printing error, the instructions say, “postage should be placed on the return envelope”. Reprinting the instructions would have delayed the ballot by at least a week due to the need to reorder paper for the 25,000 new instruction sheets. Members of the Board of Elections decided it was in the best interest of voters to get the ballots out.
Chairwoman Mary Rennie: “In the final analysis, this is a big win for voters –they don’t have to pay postage costs to return their ballot. The mistake on the instructions is unfortunate, but we are working to inform the public to avoid confusion…”
Vice Chairwoman Ellen Schauerman: “Time is the most valuable thing for voters. Giving them more time to return their ballots, will ensure more voters will submit their ballots by the deadline…”
Douglas Smith, Clerk of Elections: “We are very sorry for any confusion this printing error might cause voters. It is the result of a misunderstanding between the County Elections Department and the County’s ballot printer.
Voters also have the option to bring their completed ballots to the office or use the drop box outside the Courthouse at 140 West 6th Street. For those who have not applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot, you may apply and vote in the same visit to room 112 in the Courthouse. The Voter Registration Office is open from 8:00am to 4:30PM.
