The States Where Mail-In Voting Is Being Hit Hard

More voters than usual plan on casting mail-in votes due to Covid-19.

Postal workers are already swamped with increased mail activity from the pandemic, and the U.S. Postal Service is uncertain about their ability to deliver the increased mail in votes.

In addition, the lack of approved over-time and disassembled mail sorting machines, is stretching USPS workers even thinner. The USPS has also decreased the number of collection boxes across the U.S. significantly from last year’s numbers. While the number of disassembled mail sorting machines and mail delays is not transparent, the number of mail collection boxes is publicly available.

We set out to find out where in the country saw the biggest decrease in collection boxes year over year.

These are the 10 states that may struggle with mail-in voting (and finding a collection box!) this year:

The 10 Hardest Hit States

1. Alaska
2. Oregon
3. Nebraska
4. Montana
5. North Dakota
6. Rhode Island
7. Massachusetts
8. Maryland
9. New Mexico
10. New Hampshire

If your state is listed, you might have some difficulty mailing in your vote. With the loss of collection boxes over the last year, you may have to drive a bit to get your ballot in the mail.

The loss of collection boxes may have an impact on how far you have to drive to find a box. And if you don’t have access to a car or public transportation, then you may be out of luck. In this example, the loss of collection boxes leads to the loss of votes.

How We Determined This

To determine states where mail-in voting is being hit hard, we ranked each state in 3 areas:

• Overall Mail Drop Boxes Lost 2019-2020
• Mail Drop Boxes Per 10,000 People
• Percent Decrease Of Drop Boxes Year Over Year

While there are a number of ways to evaluate mail-in voting, we opted to look at mail drop boxes as an overall proxy. Unfortunately, many other issues (disassembled sorting machines, undelivered mail, and loss of overtime) are not as transparent. However, by examining something visible we are able to get a window into current operation changes.

The data comes from MailboxLocate, who posted updated numbers from the United States Post Office.

1. Alaska

Percent Decrease: 6.8%
Lost Boxes: -29
Boxes Per 10K: 73

Alaska is having the toughest time with mail-in voting right now due to how many collection boxes it’s lost. Since 2019, the state has deduced 29 collection boxes for a 6.8% decrease, which is the highest decrease the U.S. has seen. That means there is 73 boxes available for every 10,000 people. That stat alone is the third-lowest in the country.

2. Oregon

Percent Decrease: 6.6%
Lost Boxes: -173
Boxes Per 10K: 422

Oregon won’t have to purchase as many ‘I voted’ stickers this year with the decrease of mail-in voting options. Since last year, the state has lost 173 collection boxes which is the second-most in the U.S. Now the densely populated state only offers 422 boxes per 10,000 people.

3. Nebraska

Percent Decrease: 3.2%
Lost Boxes: -68
Boxes Per 10K: 193

Nebraska may have a tough time getting in all of the mail-in ballots due to a loss of 68 collection boxes. This loss is a 3.2% decrease since 2019, which is the third-highest decrease compared to the rest of the states.

4. Montana

Percent Decrease: 3.0%
Lost Boxes: -43
Boxes Per 10K: 107

With a 3% decrease in collection boxes, Montana is the fourth state where mail-in voting is being hit the hardest. The decrease leaves the state with only 107 boxes available per 10,000 people.

5. North Dakota

Percent Decrease: 2.9%
Lost Boxes: -27
Boxes Per 10K: 76

North Dakota lost 27 collection boxes since last year, making this year’s mail-in vote even harder. Now, the state only has 76 collection boxes available per 10,000 people which is the fourth-lowest number of boxes available in the country.

6. Rhode Island

Percent Decrease: 2.4%
Lost Boxes: -24
Boxes Per 10K: 106

The sixth hardest-hit state for mail-in voting is Rhode Island. While the state only lost 24 collection boxes, that only leaves 106 available per 10,000 people. That’s a 2.4% decrease over the entire state.

7. Massachusetts

Percent Decrease: 2.1%
Lost Boxes: -166
Boxes Per 10K: 689

Massachusetts had the third-highest loss in collection boxes in the country over the last year with 166 now gone. Even with the 2.1% decrease, the state still has 689 available per 10,000 people.

8. Maryland

Percent Decrease: 2.0%
Lost Boxes: -100
Boxes Per 10K: 605

Coming in at No. 8, Maryland’s mail-in voting took a hit with the recent loss of collection boxes. The state lost 100 boxes for a 2% decrease. Even with the decrease, residents still have access to 605 collection boxes per 10,000 people.

9. New Mexico

Percent Decrease: 1.8%
Lost Boxes: -27
Boxes Per 10K: 210

New Mexico comes in as the ninth state where it won’t be as easy to mail in your vote. A 1.8% decrease in collection boxes leaves New Mexico with only 210 boxes available per 10,000 people. Hopefully one of those boxes is within your reach.

10. New Hampshire

Percent Decrease: 1.6%
Lost Boxes: -26
Boxes Per 10K: 136

New Hampshire rounds out our list of where mail-in voting is being hit the hardest. At No. 10, the state has lost 26 collection boxes over the last year for a 1.6% decrease. With only 136 boxes available per 10,000, it’s easy to assume not everyone is within range of a collection box.

Summary of the States Where Mail-In Voting is Being Hit Hard

It’s no secret the USPS is struggling to keep up with delivering mail on time while working with the budget it has.

But now of all times, it’s struggles are threatening to have an impact on a nationwide election.

With the loss of collection boxes from last year, fewer and fewer people have access to mailing in their ballots.

The impact of these lost votes could make a difference in the election.

These 10 states are where people are having the hardest time getting their mail-in votes in on time. We’ve included a full table for every state so you can see how the rest of the states fare.

Author

Amanda Postma

Amanda Postma is a writer for the Zippia Career Advice blog with a focus on creating entertaining content to help you through your job search. She received her BA from the University Of Missouri-Columbia.