Voters’ ballots may have been stolen on Wednesday, leaving San Mateo County and city officials concerned.
A U.S. Postal Service employee emailed the county clerk-recorder’s office that someone had stolen bins from a Daly City post office, San Mateo County Assistant Chief Elections Officer Jim Irizarry told the Peninsula Buzz.
The post office was looted, but vote-by-mail ballots did not appear to be the target. However, ballots may have been in the bins stolen, Irizarry said. The number of ballots potentially affected is unknown, he said. The location of the theft is also unknown, Irizarry said. Daly City has four post office locations.
The county is working with USPS to investigate the incident.
Residents should track their ballots to make sure their vote is counted, Irizarry said.
“With the midterm elections approaching, we cannot afford to leave residents wondering whether their ballots or other important mail are safe. This is simply unacceptable,” San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa said in a statement.
Canepa called for a complete investigation into the theft, stronger security measures and clear, timely communication with the public. The county elections office sent a press release about the theft the following day.
Daly City Councilwoman Juslyn Manalo, who is running for Canepa’s seat on the Board of Supervisors, said the theft alarmed her.
“It’s a very serious matter that needs to be monitored and looked into. People are exercising their rights to vote and in this democracy. People should feel secure in mailing their ballots and in this case we are seeing otherwise,” Manalo said.
She said the timing of the theft has her worried after her husband found a shopping bag full of her campaign mailers, which included recipients’ addresses, next to a pole on Brunswick Street on Sept. 30.
Manalo said she reported the incident to the post office, and it remains under investigation.
Daly City Councilwoman Pamela DiGiovanni, who is seeking reelection, said every vote should count, regardless of who voters support. She urged people to check the status of their mail-in ballots.
People can check their ballot status at https://WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.
If they are concerned, voters may ask for a replacement ballot at https://smcacre.gov/elections/request-replacement-ballot or in person at any vote center in the county. Online requests for a replacement must be submitted by Oct. 27.
The San Bruno post office, at 1300 Huntington Ave., was also robbed of bins in August. A person entered the post office and stole four bins of mail and assaulted an employee. At the time, USPS offered a reward of up to $150,000 for information on the incident.