Twenty-four ballots were dumped on Highway 17 and authorities are investigating.
Local and federal investigators are investigating whether a ballot dumped near Highway 17 and Sugarloaf Road in Scotts Valley, 20 south of San Jose, is simple mail theft or an attempt to sabotage an election.
On the morning of the 12th, Julie Nieman, who was on her way to work, found these ballots that were soaked in mud and water and discarded like trash, and it was reported that she delivered them to the USPS. “Someone cut off the edge of the envelope with scissors and took out the ballot paper that was inside,” Nieman said.
One of the discarded ballots was identified as belonging to San Jose voter Lou Witkin. Mr. Witkin said, “I sent the ballot by mail on the 6th, and it was found here on the 11th,” and said, “The authorities will figure out the problem and explain it.”
The Santa Clara County Department of Elections said the discarded ballots were lost while they were in the possession of the postal service, and that they are consulting with county legal counsel as to whether they can count the ballots or whether they should be legally disposed of.