Sticky absentee ballot issues: NC voters receive sealed envelopes due to Hurricane Helene-related moisture

Some people planning to vote absentee are finding an unpleasant surprise when they receive their ballots.

State officials say moisture from Hurricane Helene has caused one or both envelopes used to return the ballot to seal shut.

There’s no word on exactly how many counties or ballots have been affected.

In an email, North Carolina State Board of Elections spokesperson Pat Gannon wrote “Chatham and a few other” counties have reported problems, likely “caused by moisture and humidity from Hurricane Helene and other rain events.”

Voters in Durham County have also reported issues to WRAL News.

“It’s not a good experience,” said Durham resident Liz Allen Green said. “Let’s just say that.”

Green took a cell phone video showing both envelopes for her ballot sealed.

“[It’s] to the point where we can’t really open them without ripping the envelope, and that was very concerning because we’re worried that, potentially, it could be considered tampering, or if the envelope seemed ripped because we put our ballot in there,” Green said.

What to do if the envelopes are sealed for your NC absentee ballots

The State Board of Elections said if both envelopes arrive at a voter’s home sealed, voters will have to request a new absentee ballot from their county’s board of elections.

Voters should not cut open and reseal both envelopes, because doing so “is a deficiency that requires the county board to cancel/spoil that ballot and reissue a new ballot to the voter,” Gannon wrote.

Gannon said if just one envelope arrives at a voter’s home sealed shut, voters can request a new absentee ballot. Voters are also allowed to cut or tear that envelope open and reseal it with their initials.