As Election Day approaches, voters relying on mail-in ballots are advised to consider alternatives to the U.S. Postal Service due to potential delays. Recent changes in the postal system have heightened the risk of ballots being rejected because of late postmarks.
These concerns have prompted officials to suggest voters use local election offices or drop boxes instead of mailing by post. This recommendation comes amid declining confidence in the Postal Service’s ability to deliver ballots promptly, following attempts by President Trump to limit mail-in voting, which were overturned by the Supreme Court.
Many states rely on envelope postmarks to verify if a ballot was mailed by Election Day.
In preparation for the upcoming election, USPS has announced special postmarking procedures in selected post offices as part of its “extraordinary measures” policy, aiming to enhance service for federal elections.
Despite these measures, the Postal Service advises mailing ballots at least a week prior to the state deadline. In states permitting a grace period for late-arriving ballots, USPS encourages visiting a post office for a manual postmark to ensure timely processing.
Impact of USPS Changes on Voter Ballot Postmarks
Beginning in April 2025, USPS has implemented changes affecting daily mail pickups and processing, particularly in rural areas, as part of its “Regional Transportation Optimization” initiative. This reorganization aims to improve financial stability.
Consequently, USPS may not always postmark envelopes on the day they’re collected, leading to potential delays.
To address this, USPS has directed affected post offices to separate ballots for manual postmarking starting Oct. 26. This process was absent during primaries, which saw an increase in ballot rejections.
Elena Patel from the Brookings Institution acknowledges the efforts by USPS but remains cautious about their implementation. She projects that due to reorganization, an additional 43,000 to 55,000 ballots could be at risk of rejection for lateness.
“These are some of the realities of running a very large postal network on tight finances,” says Patel, a former economist with the Postal Regulatory Commission.
Further USPS Measures for Ensuring Ballot Delivery
USPS plans additional “extraordinary measures” including:
- From Oct. 24, some post offices may extend hours and create special lanes for voters seeking manual postmarks.
- Beginning Oct. 26, efforts to expedite ballot delivery will commence.
Despite these measures commencing later than in previous election years, USPS expressed confidence in their effectiveness, stating their commitment to ensuring all election mail is delivered timely.
In Alaska, Michelle Sparck of Get Out the Native Vote highlights the challenges faced by voters, particularly in Native communities, where postal delays have previously led to ballot rejections.
Sparck urges voters to act early, emphasizing the importance of participating in early voting to ensure ballots are counted.
“If there is an early voting opportunity in a community,” Sparck says, “we’re asking people to drop their ballots off with those folks so that it becomes part of the chain of custody.”
Edited by Benjamin Swasey
Copyright 2026 NPR
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