WASHINGTON,D.C. — The U.S. Postal Service says it is prepared to securely and reliably deliver mail-in ballots for the 2026 general election, reporting that nearly 98% of ballot mail has been delivered on time as it prepares to implement additional measures to expedite election-related mail.
During a recent briefing on its Election Mail operations, USPS officials said the nation’s postal network is operating without major reported disruptions and that ballot delivery performance remains strong. Through Oct. 9, approximately 97.98% of ballot mail was delivered on time according to the agency’s service standards.
“The Postal Service is confident and ready to deliver a successful Election Mail season,” said Postmaster General David Steiner. “[W]e share a common goal: instilling confidence in all Americans that their Election Mail will be handled securely – and delivered reliably.”
The Postal Service is encouraging voters to return their completed ballots early to allow sufficient time for delivery to election offices. The agency recommends that domestic voters who are not serving in the military mail their ballots at least one week before the deadline for their local election office to receive them.
Adrienne Marshall, director of Election and Government Mail Services at USPS, emphasized the importance of early mailing.
“Our Postal Service employees are diligently working to process and deliver ballots on time, and we ask that voters do their part and mail early.”
USPS officials said the agency will begin implementing extraordinary measures Saturday, Oct. 24, to accelerate ballot processing and delivery during the final weeks of the election season. Those measures will continue through the last day each state accepts completed mail-in ballots as timely.
The additional procedures include extra mail deliveries and collections, special pickups, specialized sorting plans at processing facilities and localized handling and transportation of ballots. The measures are designed to expedite delivery when postal employees can identify mailpieces as ballots and are consistent with procedures used during previous elections.
According to the Postal Service’s 2024 post-election analysis, 99.6% of ballots mailed by voters were delivered to election officials within three days during that year’s general election.
“The Postal Service has a long and strong record of successfully delivering Election Mail,” said the Postal Service Board of Governor’s Chair Amber McReynolds. “That record is not accidental, and it reflects extensive planning, close coordination with scores of stakeholders, and the training and commitment of hundreds of thousands of postal employees who understand the importance of this responsibility.”
USPS officials also addressed concerns about ballot postmarks, explaining that although the agency has not changed its postmarking practices, adjustments to transportation operations can affect the date appearing on mailed ballots.
Because postmarks are generally applied at originating processing facilities, a ballot mailed on one day may receive a postmark dated later if it does not reach a processing facility that same day.
To ensure a ballot receives a postmark matching the date it is mailed, voters can bring their completed ballot-return envelope to a Postal Service retail counter and request a manual postmark. The service is provided free of charge.
The Postal Service said its election procedures will remain consistent with previous election cycles and that it will not implement or enforce the Ballot Mail for Federal Elections rule for the 2026 general election.
“Our processes and procedures for this year will be consistent with previous election cycles,” Marshall said.
USPS officials said the agency continues to work with local, state and federal election officials, postal unions, federal agencies and other organizations to address potential problems and provide guidance on election mail. Local USPS Customer Relations teams also meet regularly with election administrators to review mailing plans, share best practices and resolve issues.
The Postal Service provides election officials with recommendations on mailpiece design, barcodes and tracking tools, along with an Official Election Mail Guide and additional information available through its Election Mail website.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is also working with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to protect the security of election-related mail. Inspectors will observe ballot processing and delivery operations, review physical security procedures and report potential concerns to postal leadership.
“In this election cycle, and every election cycle, the Postal Inspection Service is committed to ensuring the safe and secure delivery of Election Mail, the integrity of our elections, and the protection of election officials and election offices from threatening and dangerous mail.” said Brendan Donahue, the organization’s deputy chief inspector. “With more than 170 million delivery points nationwide, upholding the security of Election Mail, and all mail, is a team effort.”
The Postal Inspection Service works with the departments of Justice and Homeland Security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the FBI, the USPS Office of Inspector General and state and local law enforcement agencies to identify and address election mail security threats.
Anyone who encounters suspicious mail or an election mail-related security concern is encouraged to contact the Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or submit a report at USPIS.gov/report.
Additional information about election mail security is available at USPIS.gov/election-mail-security.
