Key facts
- Thousands of mail-in ballots were rejected in Washington and Oregon primaries due to late postmarks.
- Recent U.S. Postal Service operational changes are blamed for the increase in rejected ballots.
- Oregon's May primary saw 13% of ballots in the grace period rejected, up from 9.5% two years prior.
- Washington reported 20,267 late-postmarked ballots in its primary, up from 16,131 in 2024.
- States are increasing the number of ballot drop boxes to mitigate the issue.
- The Postal Service advises voters to mail ballots early or get them manually postmarked at a post office.
The number of mail-in ballots rejected for late postmarks has surged in Washington and Oregon, raising concerns about recent operational changes within the U.S. Postal Service. These changes, aimed at cost savings through regional hub consolidations and reduced mail transport frequency, are reportedly delaying the application of postmarks, even on ballots mailed by Election Day.
Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read stated that thousands of voters had their ballots rejected in the May primary, with the rejection rate for late postmarks increasing from 9.5% to 13%. In Washington, the issue became prominent last year, leading to increased efforts to promote early mailing and the installation of more drop boxes. Despite these measures, 20,267 ballots were rejected for late postmarks in the recent primary, an increase from previous figures.
In rural areas of Washington, such as Stevens County, the rate of rejected ballots quadrupled. The county auditor noted receiving a significant number of late-postmarked ballots, suggesting voters believed they had mailed them on time. Similarly, Yakima County experienced a rejection rate of nearly 4.4%. These developments are occurring amidst ongoing political debate surrounding mail-in voting, with President Donald Trump having previously attacked its security.
The Postal Service has acknowledged that mail transport changes could lead to postmarking delays. They advise voters to mail their ballots at least a week in advance or to request manual postmarking at a post office free of charge to ensure timely processing.