On Nov. 24, 2025, the U.S. Postal Service issued the USPS Final Rule on Postmarks and Postal Possession, saying that postmarks will not be applied at the local post office branch, but instead at the regional processing facility. This means there could be a delay between when an item is mailed and a postmark is applied.
What does this mean for me if I am registering or voting by mail?
Some states will accept mailed voter registration forms or vote-by-mail ballots that arrive within a few days after the deadline as long as they were postmarked by the deadline. If you live in one of these states, you will need to account for the time it takes for a postmark to be applied when returning your mail. The postmark date might be later than the date when you mail your item.
If your state's voter registration or ballot return deadlines state that the item must be "received" by the deadline, the change has no effect.
Learn more about your state’s deadlines here.
If I am returning my voter registration form or ballot by mail, when should I send it?
VoteAmerica recommends mailing your form or ballot at least one week before the deadline to ensure it arrives on time — even if your state's deadline is based on the postmark date.
What if the deadline is less than a week away?
If possible, we recommend taking care of the task in person:
- If you are registering to vote: You have the option to register in person. Contact your local election office to learn more. (See in-person registration deadlines here.)
- If you are returning a ballot:
- You can hand-deliver your ballot by the in-person deadline in every state except Mississippi and Tennessee. Contact your local election office to learn more.
- You can use a ballot drop box to return your ballot if your local election office provides them. These boxes are managed directly by election officials — not the U.S. Postal Service — so using one is effectively hand-delivering your ballot.
What if in-person registration or ballot return is not an option for me? Is there any way to get a timely postmark?
The USPS recommends the following options — all of which require traveling to a post office during open hours:
- Ask for a manual postmark. Customers who want a postmark dated when the Postal Service first accepted possession of their mailpiece may, for no extra charge, request a manual postmark at any Post Office, station, or branch. Since a manual postmark is stamped upon acceptance at the retail counter, the date on that postmark lines up with the date on which the USPS first accepted possession.
- Purchase a Certificate of Mailing. If you want proof of the date on which the USPS first accepted possession of the mailpiece, you can purchase a Certificate of Mailing. A Certificate of Mailing provides evidence that individual mailpieces have been presented for mailing. Registered mail and certified mail services also provide mailing receipts.