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Postmark change could impact getting ballots, bills in on time

The U.S. Postal Service is making new changes in 2026, including adjustments to the postmark process, which could result in late fees and penalties for anyone mailing time-sensitive documents such as tax returns or bill payments.

For decades, the postmark – an official mark that shows where and when mail was accepted by the Postal Service – has been used in law as proof that an individual met a deadline, such as submitting a ballot by Election Day.

A USPS postmark used to indicate the date when mail was dropped in a mailbox or submitted at the post office counter. Now, USPS is clarifying in a new rule that the postmark will reflect the date an envelope is first processed by an automated USPS sorting machine, potentially days after it was dropped off – not the actual drop-off date.

New postmark policy by USPS could cause issues for people

Changes by the United States Postal Services on how postmarks will be done could cause issues for some people in the coming year.

Postmarks for USPS previously involved official marks showcasing the date a person dropped off mail at the post office or in the mailbox.

A new rule established as of Dec. 24 requires postmarks to show the date an envelope is first processed by a USPS automated sorting machine at regional sorting facilities and not when it’s dropped off, which could reflect it being marked as late the following day or date.

Late fees and penalties could arise if a postmark pertaining to deadlines such as ballots, tax returns and more are mailed if the postage ends up being marked at a later date.

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