Phoenix (AZ Family) Bipartisan election officials across the country are warning of widespread problems with the U.S. postal system that they say could disenfranchise voters in the next presidential election.

of The U.S. Postal Service has been criticized for sending out mail-in ballots days after the deadline. Returning properly addressed election mail as undeliverable.

Here in Maricopa County, leaders are also keeping an eye on the potential problem: This is only the second time in recent years that ballots there have exceeded two pages.

Experts have implemented tests and plans to avoid problems but have warned the process could produce surprises, which could have particularly significant implications at a time when the integrity of the election is already under scrutiny.

“There are always issues, there are always mistakes. This is a huge human effort,” said Maricopa County Supervisor Clint Hickman, who represents the 4th District.

While it's impossible to predict every issue, County Supervisor Thomas Galvin, who represents the 2nd District, raised questions he believes could affect some families.

“I have a Mesa voter in my district who has an elderly parent who lives in Scottsdale,” he said. “What happens if the Mesa voter goes to visit the elderly parent on Saturday or Sunday, and they both look over the ballot together? But they both fill out page one, and they both get the wrong page two. So they end up mixing up the Scottsdale 'page two' with the Mesa 'page one,' and vice versa, and that's what gets sent to them.”

The county elections office said in that case, both ballots will be rejected and will not be counted.

It is unclear whether that voter will be notified through the “Track Your Vote” notification system.

“The Secretary of State is currently considering guidelines to issue to counties on how these types of notifications may or may not be provided,” Maricopa County Elections Director Scott Jarrett said.

Problems could also arise on Election Day if counters only count the first page of ballots and not the second.

Voters submit their ballots “Door 3” – a false report published in 2022The Republican Party at the time Chairperson: Kelly Ward He questioned the process.

“Putting your ballot in a box like Door 3 and having it counted at a central counting site is how most other counties in Arizona vote,” Deputy County Administrator Zach Sira said. “That's the normal voting process in Arizona.”

To avoid “Door 3,” they are advising voters to avoid ticking or “crossing out” and instead fill in the oval on their ballot.

Other concerns include the obvious, like ballot paper, which is not a new issue in Arizona. In 2022, the Secretary of State 6,000 mail-in ballots were sent out with serious errors, necessitating reprinting and additional paper..

“Even if you have two pages of ballots, you still have enough paper to make your selection. You still have toner to spare,” Jarrett said.

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