USPS Postmark Rule Threatens Ballots in 14 States as Experts Urge Mailing 1 Week Early
Updated
Updated · Berkeleyside · May 20
USPS Postmark Rule Threatens Ballots in 14 States as Experts Urge Mailing 1 Week Early
3 articles · Updated · Berkeleyside · May 20
Summary
A USPS rule that took effect in December redefines a postmark so its date may no longer match when mail was first accepted, putting mailed ballots at risk of rejection.
That matters in 14 states, including California, where ballots arriving after Election Day still count if postmarked on time; even short processing delays could now disqualify votes.
More than 48 million Americans used mail voting in 2024, and advocates say military voters, homebound elderly residents and some voter-registration applicants could be hit hardest.
For California’s June 2 primary, election experts urge voters to mail ballots by May 26 or earlier, get a manual postmark at a post office, use official drop boxes by 8 p.m. Election Day, or vote in person.
The rule fits a broader Trump administration push against mail voting, including a March executive order and a Supreme Court case seeking to bar counting some late-arriving ballots postmarked by Election Day.
With postmarks no longer guaranteeing a mail date, what new methods can ensure your vote is securely counted?
How will the Supreme Court's looming decision on late ballots reshape voting rules for millions across the country?
Do new federal election rules challenge the constitutional authority of states to manage their own voting processes?
Supreme Court and USPS Rule Changes Put 2026 Mail-In Ballots—and Voter Access—at Risk
Overview
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, voters and election officials are facing new challenges due to changes in mail-in voting rules. The Supreme Court may make voting by mail more difficult, while a new USPS postmark rule means a postmark no longer guarantees when the ballot was mailed. Because of this, relying only on a postmark is risky, and many ballots could be disqualified if mailed close to Election Day. With about half of ballots in some states arriving in the final week, voters are urged to submit their ballots early or use secure drop boxes to ensure their votes are counted.