The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has announced a proposed rule change regarding the definition of postmarks, sparking criticism that it could disenfranchise voters in states relying on postmarks to validate mail-in ballots. This announcement was reported by Restoration News.
According to Restoration News, the proposed revision to the Domestic Mail Manual, Section 608.11, redefines a postmark as the date USPS records possession of a mail piece, rather than the date it was mailed. Critics argue this could result in ballots mailed before Election Day being postmarked late if processing delays occur, potentially leading to disqualification under state law. Currently, nineteen states and Washington, D.C., require ballots to be postmarked by Election Day, meaning this change could directly impact millions of voters.
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission has reported that over 45 million Americans voted by mail in 2024, highlighting the importance of mail-in voting in modern elections. The commission's research underscores that many states rely on postmark verification laws to determine ballot validity. Experts warn that even a small percentage of rejected ballots can undermine confidence in election integrity, especially in closely contested races.
Ned Jones, director of the Citizens Election Research Center, told Restoration News that USPS had previously taken "heroic action" to prioritize postmarking and ensure timely ballot processing. He warned that under the new rule, voters might need to obtain manual postmarks or use costly services like Certified Mail to prove when they sent their ballots. Jones emphasized these burdens could disproportionately affect rural and low-income voters, acting as a de facto poll tax.
The USPS is an independent establishment of the executive branch of the federal government responsible for nationwide mail delivery and processes over 421 million mail pieces daily. It operates more than 31,000 retail locations and employs approximately 635,000 workers. According to USPS, its Delivering for America plan launched in 2021 aims to stabilize finances, modernize infrastructure, and maintain reliable service including handling election mail.
