Burlington County Clerk Joanne Schwartz announced actions
her office is taking in response to a printer error involving the sealing ofthe outer envelopes used to deliver Vote-by-Mail ballots.
Schwartz said the County’s printing vendor used the wrong
envelopes while preparing the Vote-by-Mail ballots, which caused them to be ineffectivelymachine-sealed with defective tabs. The issue has been remedied. However, an
initial batch of ballots were mailed to voters in Evesham, Willingboro andLumberton before the error was discovered, so some of those envelopes may come
open during the mailing process.
If any ballot envelopes arrive and appear opened, voters shouldcheck to make sure they contain a ballot, an instructions letter, certified
ballot envelope and a prepaid postage return envelope.
“Voters should know that the integrity of their ballotsthemselves are not in question and our office has responded quickly to remedy the
situation. However, in the interest of full transparency, we want voters to knowabout the situation and that remedies are available for any voter who is not
completely confident,” Schwartz said. “Any voters concerned about a ballot witha defective seal can request a replacement Vote-by-Mail ballot or can vote
provisionally at their assigned polling place. “
The County has safeguards in place to confirm that each votercasts only one ballot and that they do not vote by mail and in-person.
“The election is the foremost priority of my office and we will
not rest until every voter can be assured that their ballot is secure and thattheir ability to vote is not in jeopardy,” Schwartz said.
A new email address, votebymail@co.burlington.nj.us, was created
specifically for voters to contact the Clerk’s Office with any questions orconcerns about their Vote-by-Mail ballots.
The Clerk’s Office can be reached directly by phone at 609-265-5229.