Ballots mailed on Election Day might be postmarked too late to be counted, after the United States Postal Service made changes earlier this year with potentially far-reaching impacts on the coming election, state officials said.

The postal service’s new process means that ballots dropped at post offices and mail collection boxes more than 50 miles from five regional hubs will not be postmarked until the next day. The ballot will not be counted without a postmark of Nov. 4 or earlier.

Nov. 4 is the date of the election in which California voters approve or reject the Proposition 50 congressional redistricting proposal. The ballot measure campaign led by Gov. Gavin Newsom is intended to counter the mid-decade gerrymandering of congressional districts in Texas to favor Republicans at the request of President Donald Trump.

The five hubs are located mainly near the state’s coast, with two in Los Angeles and others in San Diego, Santa Clarita, Richmond, and Sacramento. Ballot drop-off boxes open on Oct. 7. Californians can register to vote through Oct. 20, and in-person voting centers open Oct. 25.

Why Your Election Day Ballot Might Not Be Counted, Unless You Do This

If voters are cutting it close on Election Day, the best way to ensure your vote will be counted is to vote in person, drop off your ballot at an official vote center, or go to a post office and ask an employee at the counter to postmark it.

The changes were announced by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber at a press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, Oct. 2.

“This year, it is critical that Californians vote as early as possible. In many parts of California, recent changes in the U.S. Postal Service mean that your ballot may not be counted if you drop it off at a post office on Election Day. If you choose to drop off your ballot at a post office on Election Day, ask at the counter for a postmark to ensure you get credit for mailing your ballot on time. And remember: You have other options, like dropping your ballot off at a vote center or in a secure drop box,” Bonta said in a prepared statement.

Weber said ballots will be mailed to all registered voters no later than Oct. 6, and directed people to the California Secretary of State website for county-by-county information on vote centers and to report any concerns about voter interference.

“Every Californian has the right to cast a ballot free from intimidation, harassment, or coercion,” said Weber in a press release. “And anyone who is subject to, or witnesses any type of, voter interference should report it to my office, their county elections office, or to elections workers on site.”

The two urged voters to vote early. And Bonta reminded law enforcement that it is illegal for people to possess firearms and for police or private security guards to be stationed at voting locations.

The changes have been met with bipartisan concern. Apart from Bonta and Weber, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley said in May that the plan would have negative impacts on rural communities, such as those he represents in Missouri.

Ballot Drop-off Tips: How to Make Sure Your Vote Counts in California

Ballot drop boxes open Oct. 7, and early in-person voting begins Oct. 25. Voters can register through Oct. 20, and ballots will be mailed to all registered voters by Oct. 6, according to Secretary of State Shirley Weber.

California’s Voting Timeline: Key Dates and What Voters Need to Know

• Oct. 6: Ballots mailed to all registered voters
• Oct. 7: Ballot drop boxes open
• Oct. 20: Voter registration deadline
• Oct. 25: Early in-person voting begins
• Nov. 4: Election Day

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Christopher Damien covers public safety and the criminal justice system. He can be reached at christopher.damien@desertsun.com or follow him at @chris_a_damien.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California Election Day ballots may miss deadline under new USPS rules
Reporting by Christopher Damien, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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