This article is part of the Democracy Watch ‘26 series, a Democracy Works initiative breaking down the voting news, court decisions, and key elections that voters should know ahead of the November midterm elections. Today’s #DW26 update examines how recent United States Postal Service (USPS) postmark guidelines could impact mail voting this year.
Each year, millions of Americans nationwide rely on mail (or absentee) voting to cast a ballot securely and conveniently. More than 48 million Americans voted by mail in the 2024 general election. That popularity transcends partisan lines; about 1 in 5 Republicans voted by mail in 2024, compared to 1 in 4 Democrats.
As tens of millions of Americans prepare to vote by mail in 2026, USPS recently released a rule clarifying its postmarking practices. The policy prompted concerns that USPS might now take longer to process ballots returned through the mail, potentially causing voters to miss important election deadlines.
Here’s What You Should Know:
In the recent rule, USPS confirmed that it does not always postmark mail on the same day that it comes into possession of such items, meaning that your mail ballot might not be postmarked on the day you drop it off. USPS said that it simply outlined existing practices—where a postmarking delay was already possible—but acknowledged that such discrepancies could become more common due to the consolidation of mail processing centers.
This is particularly important if you live in a state that uses postmarks as part of the ballot return deadline. Alaska, California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia allow mail ballots received after Election Day to be counted as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.
If you live in one of these places, keep in mind that your mail ballot might not be postmarked on Election Day if you wait until Election Day to mail it.
Here’s What You Can Do:
- If you’re concerned that your ballot won’t be postmarked on time, you can always request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
- If you choose to return your ballot through the mail, be sure to mail your ballot before Election Day and at least one week before it must be received by election officials.
- You can also return your ballot in person using a secure dropbox, if one is available in your area, or another dedicated drop-off location. Contact your local election office for more information about where to return your ballot in person.
- If you’re eligible to vote by mail in your state, be sure to apply for your mail ballot before the deadline. TurboVote can help you request an absentee ballot.
- Several states allow you to track your ballot throughout the mail-in process using tools like Ballot Scout, a secure platform that partners directly with election officials.
Democracy Works is committed to helping you vote with confidence this year. Get the information you need to vote, all in one place, through TurboVote, and subscribe to our newsletter for more #DW26 updates delivered to your inbox, all year long.
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