INDIANAPOLIS — The U.S. Postal Service recently adopted a new rule that could create doubt about whether some ballots mailed by voters by Election Day will receive postmarks in time to be counted.
A USPS rule that took effect on Dec. 24 stated that mail might not receive a postmark on the same day the agency takes possession of it. The postal service says it isn’t changing its existing postmark practices and is merely clarifying its policy.
Indiana voters who mail in ballots should be unaffected by the change. The Indiana Secretary of State states that county election officials must receive an absentee-by-mail ballot not later than 6:00 p.m. (local time) on Election Day. County election officials must have possession of the ballot by this deadline; postmarks — even if dated on or before the date of the election — are not considered timely.
The Indiana mid-term elections will be the primary on Tuesday. May 5 and the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3 statewide. Voters will include U.S, representatives, Indiana State Senators and Representatives, and one ballot measure.