In a recent decision, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors has reversed its initial plan to prioritize counting in-person ballots first for the upcoming Nov. 5 presidential election. During Tuesday's meeting, the board voted unanimously to return to the previous method of processing both mail-in and in-person ballots together, backing away from a proposal introduced two weeks earlier.
Supervisor Steve Ding initially pushed the proposal to count in-person ballots first after the polls closed, citing concerns from constituents over election integrity. However, after receiving feedback and conducting further research, Ding acknowledged that the change may have been premature, especially after vote-by-mail ballots had already been sent out with instructions to return them promptly.
"We need to make sure that what we’re advocating is actually being implemented without confusion," Ding said during the meeting. He added that other cities across California are also considering changes to ballot processing, but many are waiting until 2026 to avoid confusion among voters.
The decision comes after concerns from the public that prioritizing in-person ballots could undermine the vote-by-mail system, which has been a critical part of the election process. Registrar of Voters Olivia Hale reassured supervisors that no cases of double voting have been recorded, and that the existing system, including signature verification for vote-by-mail ballots, ensures election integrity.
The reversal reflects the board’s desire to maintain a consistent and transparent process while balancing the concerns of all voters. For now, both in-person and vote-by-mail ballots will be processed as usual, with results starting to be tabulated at 8:01 p.m. on election night.
