The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Nov. 25, 2025
We have state updates on mail-in voting rules today. Hawaii’s election commission recommended ending the state’s mail-in voting system; Ohio’s governor is expected to sign a bill ending its mail-ballot grace period; and Montana’s new law requiring a birth date on mail-in ballots was the number one reason for ballot rejection.
First to Hawaii, where an October 1st, conspiracy-laden hearing convinced a majority of the state election commission to recommend returning the state to one day, in-person voting. Honolulu Civil Beat reports that only 4.5% of Hawaiians vote in person in 2024. Since the meeting, legislators have voiced continued support for mail-in voting, and the commission recommendation doesn’t appear to have traction.
The Ohio Capital Journal reports that SB 293, requiring mail ballots be returned by election day regardless of postmark, and eliminating the current four-day grace period, was been sent to Governor Mike DeWine November 19th, who is expected to sign it.
A new Montana law requiring a voter’s birth date be added to a mail-in ballot dramatically increased ballot rejection rates in November. The Daily Montanan reports that rejection rates varied by county, but ranged from 1% to 4.5%, with as many as 80% of rejections due to missing or mismatched birthdates. Voters were contacted to cure ballots, lowering the final rate to around 2%.
We’ve linked to the local reporting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Honolulu Civil Beat – Turnout Is Up. People Like It. But Voting By Mail Is Under Attack In Hawaiʻi
Hawaii Elections Commission – Minutes of Meeting for Oct. 1, 2025
Ohio Capital Journal – Ohio lawmakers send new Election Day deadline for absentee ballots law to governor
Daily Montanan – Thousands of ballots rejected due to new birth year law
American Democracy Minute – Can Mail-In Ballots, Eligible in Every Other Way, Be Counted if They Arrive After Election Day? The Question will be Heard in the U.S. Supreme Court
American Democracy Minute – Americans Like Voting Early, and Other Lessons from the 2024 Election U.S. Election Assistance Commission Follow Up Report
Groups Taking Action:
National Vote at Home Institute, Common Cause, League of Women Voters US
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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