INDIANA — In anticipation of the upcoming general election, the U.S. Postal Service recently hosted a briefing detailing its comprehensive Election Mail processes and procedures, reaffirming its dedication to the secure, prompt delivery of every ballot.
“The Postal Service is confident and ready to deliver a successful Election Mail season,” stated Postmaster General David Steiner. “We share a common goal: instilling confidence in all Americans that their Election Mail will be handled securely – and delivered reliably.”
Guidance and Timelines for Voters
To ensure votes are counted, postal officials strongly encourage voters to plan ahead. Adrienne Marshall, director of Election and Government Mail Services at the Postal Service, emphasized proactive participation: “Our Postal Service employees are diligently working to process and deliver ballots on time, and we ask that voters do their part and mail early.”
The official USPS recommendation advises domestic non-military voters to mail their completed ballots before Election Day, and at least one week prior to the deadline set by their local election office for receipt.
Strong Performance and Proven Track Record
The nation’s postal network is currently running smoothly without major disruptions. Performance metrics remain high, with 97.98 percent of ballot mail delivered on time relative to USPS service standards through October 9.
This builds on a history of reliable service. During the 2024 General Election, the Postal Service successfully delivered 99.6% of voter ballots to election officials within a three-day window.
“The Postal Service has a long and strong record of successfully delivering Election Mail,” noted Postal Service Board of Governors Chair Amber McReynolds. “That record is not accidental, and it reflects extensive planning, close coordination with scores of stakeholders, and the training and commitment of hundreds of thousands of postal employees who understand the importance of this responsibility.”
Extraordinary Measures Begin October 24
While standard Election Mail protocols are active year-round, USPS implements extraordinary measures nationwide beginning Saturday, Oct. 24. These procedures remain in place through the final day that state election boards accept completed mail-in ballots.
Designed to accelerate the handling of late-arriving mail-in ballots, these measures include:
- Extra deliveries and collections
- Special pick-ups
- Specialized sort plans at processing facilities to expedite delivery directly to boards of elections
- Localized handling and transportation of ballots
Officials noted that these operational practices remain consistent with previous election cycles, and the Postal Service is not implementing or enforcing the Ballot Mail for Federal Elections rule for the 2026 General Election.
Postmarking Best Practices
USPS has reaffirmed its standard operating procedures regarding ballot postmarking, instructing employees nationwide. Because transportation adjustments are designed to eliminate network inefficiencies, mailpieces may occasionally arrive at originating processing facilities a day after mailing, meaning automated postmarks might reflect the processing date rather than the collection date.
To guarantee that a ballot-return envelope receives a postmark matching the exact date of mailing, voters can take their ballot directly to a USPS retail location and request a complimentary manual postmark at the counter.
Security and Integrity
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is partnering closely with USPS, the U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, CISA, the FBI, the USPS Office of Inspector General, and local law enforcement to safeguard the election. Postal Inspectors will physically monitor processing and facility security, ensuring protection against threats.
“In this election cycle, and every election cycle, the Postal Inspection Service is committed to ensuring the safe and secure delivery of Election Mail, the integrity of our elections, and the protection of election officials and election offices from threatening and dangerous mail,” said Brendan Donahue, deputy chief inspector.
The public is encouraged to report any suspicious mail or security incidents by calling the Postal Inspection Service national hotline at 877-876-2455 or submitting a report online at www.USPIS.gov/report. Additional details on election mail security can be found at www.uspis.gov/election-mail-security.
