The U.S. Postal Service is advising Americans who plan to vote by mail in the upcoming election to ensure that their ballots are postmarked today in order to ensure they are counted. The USPS has implemented special measures in preparation for Election Day on November 5, as stated in a press release issued on Monday. It is recommended that ballots be mailed at least a week before the election office needs to receive them. If a ballot is due on Election Day, the USPS suggests mailing it by October 29 to allow for ample time for delivery.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the majority of U.S. states do not accept mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day. However, there are 18 states and Washington, D.C. that have varying grace periods to account for postal delays. Alaska, for example, allows a 10-day window for ballots to arrive if postmarked by Election Day, while Texas offers an extra day. In Nevada, a battleground state, ballots postmarked by November 5 can still be counted if they arrive up to four days after Election Day, and those with unclear postmarks can arrive up to the third day after Election Day.
States like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Georgia require mail-in ballots to arrive on or before Election Day in order to be counted. The USPS has put in place specific processes and procedures for Election Mail throughout the year, and in the final weeks leading up to the election, they have deployed extraordinary measures to expedite the movement of ballots. These measures include additional delivery and pick-ups, specialized sort plans, and local handling and transportation of ballots.
The USPS urges voters to mail their ballots as early as possible, as every day is crucial in ensuring that the votes are counted. Ballots that arrive after Election Day may not be accepted in many states, so it is important for voters to be aware of the deadlines and grace periods in their respective states. The importance of mail-in voting has been emphasized in the current election, with many states expanding access to mail-in ballots in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The election season has brought about legal challenges and controversies surrounding new election rules in various states. A Georgia judge recently struck down new election rules, labeling them as illegal, unconstitutional, and void after a series of legal battles. Former Republican U.S. Senator has endorsed Kamala Harris in the upcoming election, emphasizing the stark choice that voters are facing. As the election approaches, both political parties are strategizing and working to win over battleground states such as Georgia, where the GOP chair has shared a two-pronged election strategy while President Trump seeks to win back the state.
