Cast Your Vote Safely: USPS Urges Early Ballot Mailing

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - With Election Day approaching on Tuesday, November 5, the U.S. Postal Service is urging voters choosing to vote by mail to submit their ballots as early as possible to ensure timely delivery. The Postal Service recommends mailing ballots at least a week before Election Day, or by Tuesday, October 29, if a ballot must arrive by Election Day.

Extraordinary Measures In Place to Expedite Ballots

Postal Service spokespersons highlight that extraordinary measures are in place, starting October 21, to expedite the handling of ballots in the final weeks of the election season. These efforts include additional deliveries, specialized processing, and prioritized handling for ballot mail, all to ensure that every vote is securely counted. For voters mailing ballots close to Election Day, the Postal Service’s enhanced protocols aim to prevent delays.

Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images

The Postal Service’s high standards in previous elections demonstrate its readiness. In the 2020 general election, 99.89% of ballots mailed from voters to officials arrived within a week, with most delivered in 1 to 3 days. Current Ballot Mail performance scores for October 2024 show similar efficiency: 99.9% of ballots, both outbound and inbound, were delivered within a week, and 98.3% of ballots from voters to officials arrived in just three days.

Read More: Here's How You Can Early Vote in Louisiana

In addition to its year-round election mail processes, the Postal Service deploys extraordinary measures during election season, ensuring ballot mail is swiftly handled, transported, and delivered. This includes additional deliveries, special collections, local ballot transport, and expedited sorting at processing centers.

The Postal Service, which delivered 0.11% of its mail volume as ballots in 2020, remains prepared for this year’s election with operational capacity and robust procedures in place. For the most reliable service, voters are encouraged to mail ballots promptly and keep up with the latest USPS updates to ensure their votes are counted.