When a Nextdoor post revealed that a Santa Fe couple had found eleven completed absentee ballots mixed with their vacation‑mail hold, County Clerk Katharine Clark responded immediately. On Saturday night she traveled to the couple’s residence herself, retrieved the ballots, and delivered them to the county’s ballot‑processing warehouse.

Clerk’s on‑the‑ground response

“It may not necessarily be anything nefarious. It’s just a mistake that was made,” Clark told reporters. She noted that the couple also had outgoing mail that should have been sent to the Postal Service, suggesting a simple routing error.

Despite a flood warning and a tornado watch in the area, Clark drove to the home, met the homeowner at the gate, and inspected each ballot. “None of them had been tampered with. We took pictures to make sure he could record it,” she said, emphasizing the integrity of the ballots.

Postal Service staffing concerns

Clark used the incident to draw attention to broader staffing pressures at the United States Postal Service (USPS) that affect election‑season mail. She explained that Santa Fe has been relying on temporary workers from nearby Rio Rancho, who are unfamiliar with local routes, leading to occasional mistakes.

“The reality of what we are seeing over time is longtime postal workers retiring and not being replaced. There’s just not enough pay,” Clark said, adding that she does not blame local postmasters, who are operating with the resources available to them.

She also referenced complaints from congressional offices and election officials about mail delays, noting that national officials have reassured her that the system is “fine,” but local experience tells a different story.

Implications for voters

With Election Day approaching, Clark urged voters to avoid relying on regular mailboxes for absentee ballots. “Deliver your ballot directly to a county drop box,” she advised, reducing the chance of similar mishaps.

Many New Mexico absentee ballots travel through Albuquerque before returning to the county clerk’s office, adding extra processing steps that increase the potential for errors.

Official follow‑up

The county clerk’s office has formally reported the incident to the Postal Service, which confirmed receipt of the request and said it is investigating the matter.

Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.