Postal Service Warns 46 states and D.C.: Some absentee, mail-in ballots may not be delivered in time to be counted

The United States Postal Service has warned election officials across the country, including those in key battleground states such as Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Arizona, that ballots requested by their deadlines and promptly mailed back may not be delivered in time to be counted.

The warnings come as the Postal Service has made changes this summer to limit overtime and increase efficiency, which according to an internal memo could result in mail temporarily being left behind.

The letters, first reported by The Washington Post, prompted immediate questions from the League of Women Voters, along with suspicion from the American Postal Workers Union that the warnings were politically motivated.

U.S. Postal Service General Counsel Thomas Marshall told elections officials in the letter, “There is significant risk that, at least in certain circumstances, ballots may be requested in a manner that is consistent with your election rules and returned promptly, and yet not be returned in time to be counted.”

He recommended ballot requests be received by state officials at least 15 days before the election on Nov 3. Election officials should allow a week to deliver ballots to voters.

And, Marshall wrote, voters should put their ballots in the mail at least a week before the state deadline to receive them. For states that require ballots to be received on Election Day, that would be Oct. 27.

Some states allow voters to request ballots closer to the election. In Michigan, for instance, voters can request a mail-in ballot up until 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election. They must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Forty states received the letter warning that their deadlines may not allow time for ballots to be returned. Six states and the District of Columbia received letters warning of lesser problems.

Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island and New Mexico got letters saying all voters should have sufficient time to receive, complete and return their ballots under those state’s time tables.

Marshall said in the letter he was following up on letters he sent in May, which warned states to account for delivery times when setting deadlines.

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Postal Service Warns 46 States and D.C. of Likely Mail-In Ballot Delays

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