Printing error forces ballot redo

State issues new ballots to 3,000 voters

» A printing error on ballots mailed by the state resulted in about 3,000 voters in Fitchburg receiving incorrect ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 election, officials said Monday.

The incorrect ballots were part of a batch that was mailed to voters last month. The issue, described as a “minor printing error,” was first discovered by the

City Clerk’s office on Oct. 7.

“This was an oversight in our preparation and printing of the ballots in this district,” Secretary of State spokesperson Debra O’Malley said.

According to O’Malley, the order of the two candidates running for state representative, which are supposed be listed alphabetically by surname, was incorrect.

It was the race for the 3rd Worcester District seat between Democrat Michael Kushmerek and Republican Glenn Fossa, of Fitchburg.

The state then ordered replacement ballots, which were printed and delivered to the City Clerk on Oct. 12.

“We don’t believe the error is substantive and should not affect the ability of any voter to vote for the candidate of their choice,” the Secretary of State’s Office said in a letter to voters.

On Saturday, the city assured voters in a statement that they can be confident their votes will be counted correctly during the election.

“( The city) wants to assure the public that during the next few weeks it is their utmost priority to maintain the integrity of the voting process,” the city said. “The city would like to thank the Secretary of State’s office for their prompt response and support.”

The corrected ballot kit contains a new secrecy envelope, which is color coded to allow the City Clerk’s office to easily recognize the corrected ballot when it’s returned.

Voters who opt to return the original ballot rather than the corrected one will have their vote counted.

Residents who already submitted the original ballot but who choose to submit the corrected ballot later will have their original ballot rejected and the corrected ballot will be counted.

If you are returning a ballot by mail, the state recommends mailing the ballot by Oct. 27. To be eligible to be counted, the ballot must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3 and received no later than Nov. 6.

Ballots can also be deposited in the drop box located at City Hall at 166 Boulder Drive.

The ballot envelope must be placed in the box no later than 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.