New USPS Rules Raise Concerns

Dropping a letter in the mail has long carried the assumption that it would receive a postmark the same day. However, recent changes by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) are challenging that expectation and raising concerns for elections, taxes, and legal filings.

Last month, the USPS announced that new rules state a postmark will show when mail enters a processing facility, and not the drop-off date. Election officials warn the change could affect mail-in ballots, which rely on postmarks to determine whether they are accepted.

Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar stated that the new rule requires voters to change how they submit their ballots. It includes mailing them earlier, utilizing official drop boxes, or personally delivering ballots to a post office counter for manual postmarking on the day of the election.

Aguilar said he is working with USPS to determine whether existing postal technology could help resolve the issue.

The concern comes as the U.S. Supreme Court considers Watson v. Republican National Committee, a case challenging the grace periods used by 30 states, including Nevada, to accept ballots after Election Day.

Nevada allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to get counted if they arrive within four days.

Critics argue that the practice contradicts federal Election Day laws, while Aguilar points out that fewer than two percent of Nevada ballots arrive after Election Day.