The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has implemented new guidelines regarding postmarks, which may not accurately reflect the date a letter or package was mailed. This change could have significant implications for time-sensitive documents such as ballots, tax returns, and legal papers. Under the USPS Final Rule on Postmarks and Postal Possession, most postmarks are now applied at large processing facilities, indicating the date the mail is first processed rather than the date it was accepted by the Post Office.

The introduction of new transportation schedules, referred to as Regional Transportation Optimization, may lead to delays in mail processing before postmarks are applied, even if items are dropped off on time. To ensure that documents with strict deadlines are processed correctly, the Postal Service advises customers to bring items directly to a Post Office counter and request a manual local postmark, which is provided at no cost and will indicate the date of submission.

Additionally, the Postal Service recommends mailing items at least one week prior to deadlines and obtaining a Certificate of Mailing for proof of submission when necessary. While these changes do not alter the USPS's mail handling procedures, they aim to enhance customer understanding of postmark implications, allowing for better planning around important deadlines.

Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of these changes on mail-in ballots. Previously, postmarks indicated when an item was mailed; however, under the new policy, the postmark may reflect when the mail is first received at a processing facility. This alteration could result in ballots being postmarked after Election Day, even if they were mailed on time. Legal disputes surrounding mail-in voting are ongoing in several states, including Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Nevada, where attempts have been made to disqualify ballots based on postmark issues.

Currently, sixteen states and the District of Columbia allow mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if they arrive within a specified grace period. However, a case brought by the Mississippi Republican Party and others is set to be heard by the Supreme Court, which could potentially eliminate these grace periods. The implications of this policy change are significant, particularly for voters who rely on mail-in ballots, including individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, expatriates, active-duty military personnel, and residents in rural areas. These groups may face additional challenges in ensuring their ballots are counted due to the unpredictability of postal services. While mail-in voting is utilized more frequently by Democrats, the affected demographics include many Republican-leaning voters, suggesting that the consequences of stricter postmark regulations could inadvertently disenfranchise constituents from both parties.