The USPS and Election Offices Are Urging People To Request Mail-In Ballots 15 Days Before The November Election, The Earlier The Better

The United States Postal Service is urging people who want to vote by mail for the November election to request their ballots 15 days prior to the election.

Don’t wait until the day of or even a week before. USPS is strongly encouraging mail-in voters to request their ballots 15 days, if not more, before the November 3 general election. The Post Office says that it’s best to have to ballots sent out as soon as possible because of the high influx of mail-in votes. 

“We recommend that jurisdictions immediately communicate and advise voters to request ballots at the earliest point allowable but no later than 15 days prior to election date,” said the Postal Service in a statement to Fox News. 

Election officials are stressing the importance of getting ballots sent out as early as possible so that election officials are not overwhelmed and that voters receive their documents in a timely manner. According to VoteAmerica.com, voters in 45 states can request their ballots. The Washington Post writes that mail carriers are to prioritize delivery of commercial packages over regular mail; they will also now leave mail that doesn’t get delivered on their route, at the distribution center. The move was made to cut down the possibility of voters’ ballots being delayed in delivery. 

Election officials and the USPS are warning voters to expect a 14-day round trip in terms of when ballots will arrive at your home and make it back to the election office. 

“Customers who opt to vote through the U.S. Mail must understand their local jurisdiction’s requirements for timely submission of absentee ballots, including postmarking requirements,” the USPS told Fox.