A system and method for processing incoming mailed ballot packages having a voter ID code, a verification signature on the envelope, and a ballot enclosed within the envelope. Prior to receipt of the incoming ballots voter signatures have been electronically stored and associated with voter ID's. Ballot packages are fed and transported on automated machinery. Voter ID's are scanned and cameras are used for capturing images of the signatures from the ballot packages. Based on the scanned voter ID's, electronically stored voter signatures are retrieved. Next, the captured verification signatures are compared with the stored voter signatures corresponding to the scanned voter ID's. A validation file is generated that indicates which ballot packages had verification signatures that were successfully matched with stored voter signatures during the comparing step. Finally, the equipment sorts ballot packages to separate successfully matched and validated ballot packages from unvalidated ballot packages.