With absentee voting skyrocketing since voters approved a ballot proposal last year allowing for its expansion, clerks across the state are worrying about counting ballots next year, when a record turnout is expected for the presidential race.
Some clerks and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson are calling on the state to allow election officials to be able to open and prepare absentee ballots for counting — and maybe even begin tabulating — votes before Election Day.
Opponents worry that early processing and counting could lead to more voter fraud because ballots could be less secure until they’re ready to be counted. They’re also concerned that results could leak out and have a chilling effect on voters who haven’t cast ballots yet.