Episode 953: Think Your Mail-in Ballot Gets Automatically Postmarked on the Day You Drop it Off? Think Again.

American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Jan. 23, 2026

Think Your Mail-in Ballot Gets Automatically Postmarked on the Day You Drop it Off? Think Again.
Most Americans assume that postal mail is postmarked the day it is received. But in August 2025, the U.S. Postal Service clarified its rules for “Postmarks and Postal Possession.” While the post office says it hasn’t changed its policy, its new definition has ramifications for your mailed financial and tax documents, and importantly, your absentee or mail-in ballot.

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Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

U.S. Postal Service - Federal Register Notice of Additional Postmarking Information
National Conference of State Legislatures - How the New USPS Postmark Changes Could Affect Mail Voting
PBS News Hour - How this new mail rule could affect your ballot, your tax return and more
National Society of Tax Professionals - USPS Announces Changes to the Postmark Date System
Save the Post Office - Implementation Update on the USPS Processing Network
Votebeat Texas - Postal Service changes mean Texas voters shouldn’t wait to mail voter registrations and ballots
U.S. Postal Service - Postmarking Myths and Facts
American Postal Workers Union -

Groups Taking Action:

National Vote at Home Institute, Save the Post Office, American Postal Workers Union

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State

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#News #Democracy #DemocracyNews #USPS #VotefromHome #PostmarkRules #MailBallots #PostalDelays