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If you’re concerned about voting by mail: USPS assures federal protections in place

Posted 7/24/20

If you question the safety of your ballot going through the mail without being tampered with, the United States Postal Service and the county elections office assures protection, tracking and peace …

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If you’re concerned about voting by mail: USPS assures federal protections in place

Posted

If you question the safety of your ballot going through the mail without being tampered with, the United States Postal Service and the county elections office assures protection, tracking and peace of mind.

Today is the last day for Maricopa County registered voters to request a ballot through the mail for the Aug. 4 primary election. In-person voting centers and drop-boxes are still options. Most brick-and-mortar locations are open now through Aug. 4.

The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office urges voters to return their ballot in the mail by Wednesday, July 29, to assure it is counted.

Every two years, America can feel most divided as political TV ads, mailers, news, color commentary and social media are dominated with candidate names and ballot initiatives.

The mail-in ballots indicate the voters’ political party on the outside of the completed envelope for return. It isn’t terribly difficult to understand why a fear of putting your ballot --- an American right --- into the hands of someone else may give some people pause.

The county’s election office assures voters that voting by mail is secure.

“All ballots require a signature that is then checked against a known signature on the official voter registration file,” the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office website states.

“Every single ballot is tracked upon delivery and receipt so voters can have peace of mind knowing their ballot was counted.”

Track the status of your ballot by texting “JOIN” to 628-683 or visiting textsignup.maricopa.vote.

Further, the United States Postal Service also states its is commitment to protecting American’s mail, a spokesperson from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service office of public affairs said in a written statement.

“The U.S. Mail remains a secure, efficient, and effective means for citizens to participate in the electoral process, and the Postal Service is proud to serve as a critical component of our nation’s democratic process,” the statement said.

“All U.S. Mail is protected by more than 200 federal laws enforced by the United States Postal Inspection Service, one of the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agencies.”

The Inspection Service says it has a proud history of identifying, arresting, and assisting in the prosecution of criminals who use the nation’s postal system to defraud, endanger or threaten Americans.”

The postal inspection service also maintains robust mail theft, mail fraud and security programs that “identify, prevent and mitigate” issues that could undermine the integrity of election mail, the statement said.

“The Inspection Service works closely with the Postal Service as well as our local, state and federal partners, to address customer concerns involving election mail,” the statement said. “While election mail is in the hands of our hard-working postal employees, the Inspection Service stands ready to protect it regardless of public health emergencies or natural disasters.”

Maricopa County voters can request a one-time ballot to be sent to their residence or mailing address on file, or to a temporary mailing address for both the August primary election and the Nov. 3 general election.

Independent or voters not affiliated with a political party can participate in the Aug. 4 primary election by selecting the “one-time request” choice to indicate which political party ballot they want to receive.

The mailed ballots can be returned through the mail, or voters can drop them off at a voting center across the Valley.

By checking Locations.Maricopa.Vote website, voters can sort the polling location by: wait time; city/town; ZIP code; open; weekend voting; no electioneering; and drop-box only.

Scottsdale voting locations and drop boxes include:

  • Scottsdale Wortship Center, 6508 E. Cactus Road;
  • Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, 7700 E. McCormick Parkway;
  • Palomino Library, 12575 E. Via Linda;
  • Scottsdale City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. (drop box only); and
  • Scottsdale Plaza, 8029 E. Roosevelt Street.