EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. — Rural voters in El Dorado County and across California face a newly heightened risk that ballots mailed on Election Day may not be counted, as changes to U.S. Postal Service operations could delay postmarking for mail dropped off too far from regional hubs.
Under California law, a vote‐by‐mail ballot is valid so long as it is postmarked on or before Election Day, even if it arrives days later. However, a policy shift implemented by USPS in April may mean that ballots dropped off on Nov. 4 at post offices or mailboxes more than 50 miles from a regional processing hub will not be postmarked until “the next day,” making them ineligible under state rules
“In many parts of California, recent changes in the U.S. Postal mail service mean your ballot may not be counted if you drop it off at a post office or a USPS mailbox on Election Day,”
Attorney General Rob Bonta warned.
“This is true for any community that is more than 50 miles from one of California’s six regional mail processing facilities.”
State election officials point out that Northern California is served by only two hubs — in West Sacramento and Richmond — leaving many rural areas exposed to delay.
What residents of El Dorado County should know
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Distance matters. Many rural routes in El Dorado County are well over 50 miles from the nearest USPS regional hub, making them vulnerable under the new processing schedule.
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Mail early. State officials strongly recommend sending ballots at least by Nov. 1 to allow enough time for postmarking.
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Use drop boxes or vote centers. Ballot drop‐off boxes and vote centers give voters a safer fallback so their ballot is not delayed in the mail system.
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Ask for a counter postmark. If you drop a ballot off at a post office on Nov. 4, request that a postal employee stamp it manually to certify the date.
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Track your ballot. California offers “Where’s My Ballot?” tools so voters can confirm whether their ballot was accepted.
Shirley Weber, California’s Secretary of State, echoed the warning:
“If you are going to use the Postal Service, make sure you put it in the day before so it can be postmarked … if you walk in on the day of, ask them to stamp your ballot for you.”
County election officials in El Dorado are working to ensure voters know their options. A staff member at the El Dorado County Elections Office said they are preparing extra signage and outreach to rural precincts in the coming days.
Local residents who miss the mail deadline still have in-person options. Vote centers open November 4, and any voter may drop off their signed ballot at a drop box before 8 p.m. on Election Day.
As California braces for a contentious special election over congressional redistricting, these postal changes add urgency to returning ballots early. Governor Gavin Newsom has also flagged concerns about potential election interference at polling places, making every vote and every procedural safeguard more consequential.
