Postal delays expose partisan vulnerability in Maine's vote-by-mail system

COVID-19 increased mail-in voting rates dramatically across states.

But during recent elections, over 10% of mailed ballots arrived too late or on Election Day itself in Maine.

Vulnerability to Delivery Delays

• Ballots arriving on Election Day: Highest risk category
• One-day early arrivals: Also prone to rejection due to delivery timing issues

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Partisan Impact

• Non-affiliated and Democratic voters disproportionately affected by delays

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Key Implications

• Despite equal access opportunities, mail-in voting is highly susceptible to partisan advantage through postal service vulnerabilities.
• This highlights a critical vulnerability in vote-by-mail systems reliant on the USPS.