Here’s why more than 400 mail-in ballots won’t count in Iron County

IRON COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — Officials in Iron County are questioning how 415 mail-in ballots were processed after nearly all of them were postmarked for the day after election day, June 25.

County Clerk Jon Whittaker explained at Monday’s commission meeting that he received a pile of mail-in ballots on June 27. Nearly 415 of them had that June 25 postmark from the U.S. Postal Service center in Las Vegas.

Fourteen others also had that postmark, in addition to stamps from postal service centers in Utah.

That’s what Whittaker said raised his suspicion. He believes there is no way all of those could have been late.

Whittaker explained that southern Utahns in the 847 area code now have their mail processed in Las Vegas. For example, if you mailed your ballot in Cedar City it would go to Vegas before reaching its final destination in Parowan.

That’s a 361-mile journey for towns that are 20 miles apart.

Tiffanie Matthews did just that. She claims she dropped her ballot off in Cedar City at 2 p.m. on June 23. When she returned from a trip later that week, she was told her ballot arrived late and would not be counted.

“A travesty,” she called it. “It definitely interferes with the integrity of our voting system. I don’t know how we can trust it. I just don’t know how the citizens can trust that system.”

Whittaker was emotional during Monday’s meeting while reading the letter he wrote to the USPS.

He read, “When I stand before the Board of Commissioners and present the canvas of election results. It is a sacred thing to me. I stand to present the results, my procedures, the turnout, any problems, and how it went. This time I feel that over 400 voices were silenced for no good reason.”

Whittaker admitted in the meeting that there is no way to prove that those ballots were sent on time. Because of this, he recommended certifying the results.

He said trying to count those votes would go against the Elections Code. He added that he didn’t want to come off as bashing the USPS and noted the work of many people he’s worked with in the past.

Iron County Commissioner Paul Cozzens says he voted against certifying the results Monday and released the following statement:

As an elected official, I believe there is no duty more sacred than ensuring the security and integrity of our elections. I cannot, in good conscience, vote to certify an election when hundreds of ballots were marked late by the postal service.

The Utah Election Code states: “If it clearly appears to the election officer and board of canvassers that certain matters are omitted or that clerical mistakes exist in election returns received, the election officer shall correct the omissions and mistakes.”

Legitimately registered voters, acting in good faith with the clear intent to submit their ballots on time, have substantially complied with our voting laws. These voters are willing to sign a sworn, notarized affidavit, and many already have, attesting that they did comply with election law. The right to vote has been paid for by the blood of hundreds of thousands who have come before us. Silencing these voices dishonors their sacrifices and undermines the democratic process. Therefore, I will not vote to certify this election until we have a clear path forward without silencing the voices of those who did their duty and mailed their ballots on time.”

Iron County Commissioner Paul Cozzens

Cozzens says the vote to certify the results in the county was tabled until Tuesday, July 9 at 4 p.m.

Going forward, both Whittaker and Matthews have suggested 24-hour drop boxes for ballots to make it easier for Utahn to ensure their ballots make it on time.

USPS released the following statement:

“Regarding ballots in Iron County, UT, the U.S. Postal Service is aware that a number of ballots were postmarked after the state’s postmark deadline of June 24. Postal management collected a number of ballots from collection boxes and cluster box units (CBUs) on June 25, and postmarked them and delivered them in a timely fashion.

Voters are reminded to check collection times posted on collection boxes and at Post Office locations and retail facilities. Also, be mindful of when mail is delivered and picked up at their residential mailbox. Ballots deposited after posted collection times won’t be picked up, or postmarked, until the following business day.

Each state establishes by law the rules and requirements for ballot submission, including ballot-submission deadlines and the role, if any, that postmarks play in determining whether a ballot was timely. In the normal course of operations, the Postal Service does not postmark, or “cancel” every piece of mail in the system. The primary purpose of cancellation is to ensure that postage cannot be reused, and some categories of postage are pre-canceled before they enter the mailstream.

In recognition of the importance that the election laws in some states place on postmarks, it has been the long-standing policy of the Postal Service to try to ensure that every return ballot mailed by voters receives a postmark, whether the return ballot is mailed with postage pre-paid by election officials or with a stamp affixed by the voter. A voter can ensure that a postmark is applied to his or her return ballot by visiting a Postal Service retail office and requesting a postmark from a retail associate when dropping off the ballot.

The Postal Service continuously instructs and reminds employees throughout the country about our ballot postmarking processes and procedures and reviews the standard operating procedures for ballot postmarking. Although we instruct our employees throughout the country to adhere to our ballot postmarking policy, such practice does deviate from normal procedures.

As reminder, if you are eligible to vote by mail and choose to do so, you should plan ahead to give yourself enough time to complete and return your ballot by your state’s deadlines.

For domestic, nonmilitary voters who choose to use the mail to return a completed ballot, our general recommendation is that, as a common-sense measure, you should mail your completed ballot before Election Day, and at least one week before the deadline by which their completed ballot must be received by their local election official. Some states may recommend allowing even more time for mailing completed ballots. You should always check to make sure you understand your state’s requirements and recommendations on mailing your completed ballot. You can look for information about your state’s requirements and recommendations here: Find your state election website.

The Postal Service is committed to the secure, timely delivery of the nation’s Election Mail. In 2024, as in previous elections, the Postal Service will fulfill its role in the electoral process when public policy makers choose to utilize us as a part of their election system. We employ a robust and proven process to ensure proper handling and delivery of all Election Mail, including ballots. We continue to work closely with election officials in Iron County as well as other counties in Utah in support of the electoral process.”

– John Hyatt │Strategic Communication Specialist, USPS

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