MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) Just a few months after some South Dakota absentee ballots were illegally challenged, officials are concerned that slow mail delivery could affect outcomes on Election Day. Members of the National Association of State Election Officials have sent a letter to the U-S Postmaster General, expressing concerns about Postal Service performance over the last year. It cites patterns of inconsistent training among staff, lengthy delivery times and a rise in mail returned as ‘undeliverable,’ which can affect a voter’s registration. Samantha Chapman with the A-C-L-U of South Dakota says she hopes election officials across the state are educating people who request absentee ballots.

  “About the possibility of delayed mail service and the importance of expediently filling out those ballots and mailing them back as soon as possible.”

A challenge to some absentee ballots cast during the June primary in Minnehaha County nearly caused 100 to be rejected, in a race where candidates were separated by just 83 votes, according to the A-C-L-U. The South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office advised that state law didn’t deem the ballots challengeable. Chapman hopes there aren’t similar issues this coming Election Day.

The U-S Postal Service proposed a plan to adjust mail delivery starting next year to increase reliance on regional hubs, which could slow delivery to rural areas. It’s estimated the plan will save the service 3-billion dollars per year.