Politics
Postal Service urges mail-in voters to send ballots well before deadlines
The USPS began extra election-mail deliveries and handling measures Oct. 24, but still recommends that domestic civilian voters mail completed ballots early. The agency says 99.6% of ballots in the 2024 general election reached election officials within three days.
North Texas voters planning to cast mail ballots are being urged to send them well ahead of Election Day, even as the U.S. Postal Service adds steps to speed election-mail delivery.
The USPS said its enhanced measures began Oct. 24. They include additional deliveries and collections, special pickups, dedicated sorting plans at processing centers and localized handling and transportation for ballots.
The agency recommends that domestic voters who are not in the military mail completed ballots before Election Day—and at least a week before the deadline for election officials to receive them. Voters should check their local election office’s rules and deadlines, since a postmark alone may not satisfy every requirement.
Amber McReynolds, chair of the Postal Service’s Board of Governors, said successful election-mail delivery depends on planning, coordination with election stakeholders and training for postal employees.
The USPS reported that 99.6% of ballots mailed in the 2024 general election were delivered to election officials within three days. That figure does not remove the risk of delays close to a deadline, making early mailing an important safeguard for voters relying on the postal system.
In North Texas, early voting began Oct. 19 and is scheduled to continue through Oct. 30. Voters can consult their county election offices for information on voting options, ballot requirements and deadlines.