Key Takeaways
- The United States Postal Service (USPS) has finalized a rule on postmarks that reflects changes in its mail pickup processes, potentially causing delays in mail delivery, including mail-in ballots.
- The new rule clarifies that postmarks are applied at regional processing facilities, not when the USPS takes possession of the mail, which could result in mail sent in rural areas being postmarked and delivered at least one day later than before.
- The changes to mail pickup processes are part of a series of reforms aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing costs, which could impact roughly 149 million Americans across 70% of U.S. zip codes.
- The changes could have significant implications for mail-in voting, particularly in states that do not offer grace periods for late-arriving ballots, and could lead to an increase in rejected ballots.
Introduction to the USPS Rule Change
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has finalized a rule on postmarks that could have significant implications for mail delivery, including mail-in ballots. The rule change, which was proposed in September, clarifies that postmarks are applied at regional processing facilities, not when the USPS takes possession of the mail. This change reflects the USPS’s recent effort to eliminate evening mail pickups from post offices more than 50 miles away from a regional processing facility, which are mostly located in or around major cities. As a result, mail sent in rural areas will be postmarked and delivered at least one day later than before, potentially causing delays in mail delivery.
Impact on Mail-In Voting
The changes to mail pickup processes could have significant implications for mail-in voting. For voters who submit their ballots by mail, the new rule could mean that their ballots arrive too late to be counted, even in states that offer grace periods for tardy votes. This is particularly concerning for voters in rural areas, where mail delivery may be slower due to the lack of evening pickups. According to federal data, nearly 104,000 mail-in ballots were rejected last year because they arrived too late, and the partisan impact of the new rule is unclear. While Democrats are more likely to vote-by-mail, the practice is also popular in heavily-Republican rural areas.
Background on the USPS Reforms
The new mail pickup schedule was implemented as part of a series of controversial reforms aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing costs launched in 2021 by then-postmaster general Louis DeJoy. DeJoy, a major donor to President Donald Trump and Republicans, has been a target of criticism for his efforts to overhaul the USPS. The reforms, which include the elimination of evening mail pickups, are expected to affect pick-ups at roughly 24,000 of the country’s 33,700 post offices, impacting roughly 149 million Americans across 70% of U.S. zip codes. Trump has long opposed mail-in voting, blaming it without evidence for his loss in the 2020 elections, and has even called for a complete ban.
Implications for Legal Filings and Tax Payments
The changes to postmarks could also have implications for legal filings and tax payments, which often rely on postmarks to establish deadlines. For example, tax payments that are mailed in may be considered late if they are not postmarked on or before the deadline, potentially resulting in penalties and fines. Similarly, legal filings that are mailed in may be considered late if they are not postmarked on or before the deadline, potentially resulting in dismissed cases or other adverse consequences. As a result, individuals and businesses that rely on mail delivery for legal and financial transactions may need to adjust their timelines and deadlines to account for the changes to mail pickup processes.
State-by-State Variations in Mail-In Voting
The impact of the new rule on mail-in voting will vary from state to state, depending on whether the state offers a grace period for late-arriving ballots. Fourteen states, plus Washington, D.C. and other territories, offer grace periods to late-arriving ballots postmarked by Election Day, while the rest require the mailed-in votes to arrive by then. In 2025, four states – Kansas, North Dakota, Utah, and Ohio – eliminated their grace periods, potentially making it more difficult for voters to have their ballots counted. The Supreme Court has also agreed to hear a case challenging Mississippi’s grace period, which could lead to the high court ending the practice altogether and resulting in even more rejected ballots.
Conclusion and Future Implications
In conclusion, the USPS’s finalized rule on postmarks has significant implications for mail delivery, including mail-in ballots. The changes to mail pickup processes could result in delays in mail delivery, particularly in rural areas, and could lead to an increase in rejected ballots. As the country continues to debate the merits of mail-in voting, it is essential to consider the potential impact of the USPS’s reforms on the integrity and accessibility of the electoral process. The future implications of the new rule will depend on how states and voters adapt to the changes, and whether efforts are made to mitigate the potential negative consequences for mail-in voting and other mail-based transactions.