Bipartisan Policy Center's Elections Project releases 'Preparing for Ballot Paper Shortages in 2022 and 2024'; report provides recommendations to improve supply, storage of paper ballot materials, contingency planning for paper delays, supply disruptions

“”Election officials are contending with alarming paper supply and quality issues ahead of this year’s elections because of two years of pandemic disruptions,” said Matthew Weil, director of BPC’s Elections Project. “Paper ballots make voting more secure and improve confidence in the system. Breakdowns in the paper supply could delay results and tank voter confidence this November and into 2024.”  

Recommendations include: 

• Officials should vigorously and methodically proof all ballot materials before they are sent for print 
• Officials should coordinate storage options with vendors 
• States legislatures should provide additional funding to election offices to compensate for the increased cost 

The decline in U.S. paper mills combined with economic volatility and price uncertainty means that supply issues are likely to persist into at least the near future. The recommendations of this report strive both to prepare election officials for the midterm elections and encourage state and federal lawmakers to take a proactive approach to addressing paper shortages in the long term. 

BPC and POLITICO will co-host a Twitter Space today at 12:00 p.m. ET to discuss how election officials and state legislatures can take action to mitigate the ballot paper crises. Set a reminder to join the Space here. 

Read the full report. 

For questions or to speak with Matt Weil, please contact Senior Manager of Media Relations Kyle Fischer.