San Mateo County elections officials issue ballot warning after mail theft

DALY CITY, Calif. (KGO) -- San Mateo County election officials are warning voters after mail was stolen from a Daly City post office, raising concerns that some ballots may have been among the stolen items.

Officials do not know whether any ballots were actually taken and do not believe the thieves targeted the mail because it contained ballots.

The U.S. Postal Service said mail was taken from the loading dock of the post office on Sullivan Avenue in Daly City on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 16.

The incident comes as voters begin mailing their ballots ahead of the November election.

Daly City resident Mark Nobriga said the theft was particularly concerning with the election approaching.

"I think it's terrible. I mean, people are relying on the post office to deliver all of the mail, but it's, I think it's crucial right now with the election coming up that the mail gets out for us," Nobriga said.

Renae Ashton, a San Francisco resident and voter, expressed similar concerns.

"I think that's potentially a problem, because it just means that our voice isn't being heard," Ashton said.

San Mateo County election officials said the theft should not deter residents from voting by mail.

"Unfortunately, mail theft does occur. From our perspective, voting by mail is very safe, and it is very convenient. And we hope that people will exercise their right to vote not only by mail, but you can also vote at a vote center," San Mateo County Assistant Chief Elections Officer Jim Irizarry said.

San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa said one of the first things he plans to do when he takes office as the county's chief elections officer in January is try to determine how to prevent similar incidents in the future.

"What we need to do is to make sure that people understand that there are consequences for taking mail, and there are consequences for taking ballots," Canepa said.

Officials are reminding voters concerned about their ballots that they can track them as they are received, processed, and counted through California's BallotTrax website.

Voters who do not see that their ballots have been received can request replacement ballots through San Mateo County's website.

ABC7 Eyewitness News received the following statement from Daly City police after our initial report:

The Daly City Police Department was not aware of mail bins being stolen from the distribution center noted. Upon inquiry we learned it was reported internally through their mail inspector/investigator. We have no open case or investigation.