ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. — A grand jury report has detailed how absentee ballots were mishandled in a village’s 2023 election, outlining procedural failures and recommending steps to prevent similar issues in the future.

The report follows a civil lawsuit alleging that 14 unregistered individuals improperly cast absentee ballots, while another 16 applied for and received ballots before registering to vote. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office presented evidence to the grand jury, which examined election procedures and made recommendations to strengthen transparency and efficiency.

The report found that the village clerk required repeated guidance from the Orange County Board of Elections and failed to check absentee ballot requests against registered voter lists. While the clerk acted in good faith, the report cited inexperience as a key factor in the mishandling of ballots. The grand jury also noted that a candidate for office had hiring and firing authority over the clerk, raising concerns about the neutrality of the election process.

The grand jury praised the independent oversight of the Orange County Board of Elections, suggesting that moving village elections to November and placing them under county administration could improve voter participation and election integrity. The report also highlighted the need for better training for village clerks and stricter adherence to election law requirements.

Additionally, the report found that a village official inferred how certain residents voted based on an absentee ballot spreadsheet, leading to a candidate’s son confronting a voter about their choice. It also noted that many individuals who incorrectly applied for absentee ballots were unaware they were not registered and did not intend to commit fraud.

The findings underscore concerns over election oversight and highlight potential reforms to prevent future disputes.