WASHINGTON — D.C. Councilmember Trayon White's Facebook post offering to pick up and drop off voted ballots prompted questions on social media about the legality of the practice.
On Monday night, the Ward 8 Councilmember wrote, "The ballots are in your mailbox. Have you put yours in a drop box yet?" He then proceeded to offer a phone number that people can call if they need their ballots to be dropped off.
On the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, user OUCmecalling311 posted in part, "I'm sure that Trayon White means well, but this doesn't seem terribly ethical news. Is it common for political candidates in DC to offer to pick up completed ballots and "drop them off" for people? What's the difference between this and crossing the line at the polls?"
Another X user responded with a webpage about ballot harvesting, the term given to the process in which political campaigns or groups are allowed to collect and submit absentee ballots on behalf of voters.
Another user responded saying, "It’s illegal to turn in someone else’s ballot."
THE QUESTION
Is it illegal for a candidate or campaign in D.C. to turn in ballots for voters?
THE SOURCES
- D.C. Board of Elections (DCBOE)
THE ANSWER
No, it is not illegal for a person or campaign to collect and turn in other voters' ballots with their permission in D.C.
In a statement, DCBOE told WUSA9:
"There is no law that sets limitations or defines who can or cannot return voted ballots. There is no specific law barring campaigns from collecting and returning voted ballots."
DCBOE says they verify each voter’s signature before the ballot is counted.
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