USPS postmark change prompts early ballot advice | JQJO

USPS says machine-applied postmark dates may not match the day mail is dropped off. As the agency reorganizes, reduced pickups for areas more than 50 miles from new processing hubs mean some first-class mail isn’t processed until the next day. That lag could affect deadlines for ballots, taxes, and legal documents. In California’s special election, officials urge voters to submit ballots before Nov. 4 or use drop boxes. USPS advises seeking a free manual postmark at a post office — a step that can be difficult for rural and disabled residents.