A recent policy update from the United States Postal Service (USPS) has sparked widespread alarm among voting rights advocates, election officials, and everyday Georgians who rely on mail-in ballots.
Effective December 24, 2025, the USPS has revised its definition of a postmark.
Under the previous system, mail deposited at a local post office or dropped into a blue collection box was typically postmarked with the date of deposit.
Post Date Change Raises Concerns Over Future Mail-In Voting in Georgia and Beyond
Now, the official postmark will reflect the date the item is first processed by automated equipment at a regional processing center — which can be several days later.
For example, if a voter drops off a mail-in ballot on a Tuesday but it isn’t scanned at the regional facility until Thursday, the postmark will show Thursday rather than Tuesday.
This shift could have significant implications for states like Georgia, where election deadlines and ballot acceptance rules often hinge on postmark dates.
The change has far-reaching implications for voters who use mail-in ballots.
In November 2025, the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments from a legal team associated with former President Donald Trump seeking to prevent states from counting mail-in ballots received after Election Day, even if properly postmarked by the deadline.
If the Court rules in favor of that position, ballots bearing a later postmark due to processing delays could be rejected in some jurisdictions, potentially invalidating valid votes.
Local election experts in Georgia note that the state already has strict rules: absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within three days after.
The new USPS policy could create unintentional delays that push ballots past acceptable windows, particularly in rural areas or during high-volume periods.
“This isn’t just about voting — it could affect tax filings, legal documents, payments, and more,” said one Atlanta-based election attorney who requested anonymity to speak freely about ongoing litigation concerns. “But the timing and potential impact on mail-in voting are what have people most worried.”
The USPS has not publicly commented on the policy change in relation to elections, describing it internally as a move to standardize processing across its network of regional centers.
However, critics argue the change disproportionately affects voters who depend on mail-in options, including seniors, people with disabilities, overseas citizens, and military personnel.
In response to the growing discussion, some Georgia voters are already adjusting their behavior.
Several commenters on social media said they plan to hand-deliver ballots to their county election office or stand in line at post offices to request an immediate hand-stamped postmark — a practice some believe may still bypass the automated processing rule.
Voting rights organizations in Atlanta, including the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda and Fair Fight Action, are monitoring the situation closely and urging residents to return ballots as early as possible or use in-person early voting options when available.
As Georgians head into what promises to be a contentious election cycle, this seemingly technical USPS change has become a flashpoint in the ongoing national debate over election integrity, access, and administration.
For the latest updates on voting rules in Georgia, visit the Secretary of State’s website at sos.ga.gov or contact your local county board of elections.