EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Middlesex County officials are reissuing vote-by-mail ballots after a mail theft incident potentially disrupted ballot deliveries last month.
The county clerk’s office said the issue stems from a September 24 mail theft affecting certain addresses across Middlesex County.
Voters who may not have received their original ballots have been mailed replacements to ensure every eligible vote is counted in the upcoming general election.
Key Points
- Mail theft on September 24 prompted Middlesex County to resend vote-by-mail ballots.
- Officials confirmed that duplicate ballots will not result in double voting, as all are cross-referenced.
- The U.S. Postal Service and its Inspection Service are investigating the theft.
County issues precautionary replacement ballots
The Middlesex County Clerk’s Office confirmed that the theft may have delayed or prevented some ballots mailed on September 22 from being delivered. Out of caution, the office mailed replacement ballots to affected voters.
In a letter to residents, the clerk’s office instructed anyone who has not yet voted to use the replacement ballot and return it to the Board of Elections following the enclosed instructions. Those who already voted using their original ballot were asked to discard the replacement.
Officials emphasized that all ballots are verified to ensure each voter is counted only once. The county clerk’s office reaffirmed its commitment to election integrity, accuracy, and accessibility.
Postal Service investigates mail theft incident
In a separate letter dated October 9, the U.S. Postal Service confirmed that mail was stolen in the area on September 24 and that the United States Postal Inspection Service is investigating. The letter, signed by Postmaster Greg Ferris, acknowledged that some residents’ mail was impacted and offered an apology for the inconvenience.
Ferris assured customers that USPS is committed to restoring reliable mail service and that the inspection service will follow up if additional information is needed.
Residents with questions about their ballots are encouraged to contact the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office at 732-745-4202 for assistance or to confirm the status of their vote-by-mail submission.