Some San Francisco voters have received vote-by-mail packets with damaged outer envelopes, prompting the city’s Department of Elections to advise residents to check the materials inside before voting. The department said Wednesday, Oct. 7, that reports so far point to tears in the exterior mailing envelope, rather than damage to the contents. A standard packet should contain four ballot cards, a ballot return envelope and voting instructions. Voters can mark and return their ballots if all four cards and the return envelope are intact, the department said. Anyone who finds damaged materials or needs a replacement ballot can call 415-558-6100, email sfvote@sfgov.org or use the department’s online Voter Portal. The U.S. Postal Service told election officials that some envelopes were torn while passing through processing equipment. USPS has switched to manual processing for the remaining vote-by-mail packets, and the department said it is coordinating with the agency to monitor subsequent mailings. The packets are for San Francisco’s Nov. 3, 2026, election. The department thanked voters for reporting the problem and urged them to inspect their materials.