USPS postmark change raises concerns for Georgia mail-in voters

A recent change in how the U.S. Postal Service applies postmarks is raising concerns about how mail-in ballots and other time-sensitive documents could be handled in Georgia.

The Postal Service, which processed more than 99 million ballots nationwide during the 2024 general election, now bases postmarks on when mail is processed at a postal facility rather than when it is dropped into a mailbox — even at a post office.

Voting advocates say the shift could create added risk for absentee voters in states like Georgia, where ballots must arrive by Election Day to be counted.

Rebekah Caruthers, CEO of the Fair Elections Center, said the policy change is especially concerning because mail-in ballots are not automatically treated as first-class mail.

“Most people don’t realize ballots aren’t considered first-class mail,” Caruthers said. “That means they aren’t always prioritized.”

Sixteen states and Washington, D.C., allow ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted even if they arrive later. Nearly 30 states extend similar flexibility to military and overseas voters. Georgia does not.

Caruthers said the updated postmark practice adds confusion for voters who rely on mail ballots, including seniors, voters with disabilities and people in rural areas with limited access to postal counters.

To ensure a same-day postmark, voters must now go inside a post office and request a manual postmark — a step she said many voters may not know about.

Looking ahead to future elections, Caruthers said the change underscores the need for clearer federal voting standards and urged voters to check their registration status and consider voting early or in person when possible.