Key Battlegrounds Can’t Process Mail Ballots Early

CBS News: “At least 18 states allow mail ballot processing before Election Day, beyond just signature matching, according to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. But that doesn’t mean they’ll have a tabulated number ahead of the election. However, depending on the state, officials are able to open envelopes or even matching ballot numbers against poll books — giving them a head start on Election Day.”

“But Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin — three states that could decide the presidency — must wait. Each of these states were decided by razor-thin margins in 2016, and each has seen unprecedented increases in mail-in voting in primaries this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Local election officials say they’re facing an overwhelming workload that could be eased by early processing, and some say they won’t have conclusive results on November 3 unless they can begin opening ballots early.”