Full Breakdown
Surge in Late-Postmarked Ballot Rejections Highlights USPS Operational Changes in Washington and Oregon
9/9/2026, 5:16:30 PM
Core Event: Spike in Late-Postmarked Ballot Rejections
Newly released data show a sharp rise in ballots rejected because their postmarks were dated after Election Day in Washington and Oregon. In Washington’s August primary, 20,267 ballots were discarded for late postmarks—a 32 % increase over the 2024 primary. Oregon reported 7,314 rejected ballots during its May primary’s week-long grace period, a 13 % rejection rate up from two years earlier. The surge follows recent changes to United States Postal Service (USPS) operations that affect how quickly mailed ballots are processed and postmarked.
Background & Context: USPS Operational Changes
In December, USPS finalized a rule clarifying that a postmark reflects the date a piece of mail is handled at a processing center, not the date the agency first receives it. The agency has been consolidating local facilities into regional hubs, moving many communities farther from processing centers. Since last year, USPS policy has limited transport of mail from post offices or collection boxes more than 50 miles (80 km) from a distribution center to once per day, down from twice daily. These changes increase the distance and time between a voter’s mailbox and the point where a ballot receives its official postmark.
Data & Statistics: Rejection Rates and County Impacts
- Washington: 20,267 late-postmarked ballots (up 32 %).
- Oregon: 7,314 late-postmarked ballots (13 % rejection rate).
- Stevens County, WA: rate of late-postmarked rejections quadrupled, with 547 ballots received three days after the primary.
- Yakima County, WA: 4.4 % of primary ballots rejected; processing now routed through Spokane, about 200 miles (320 km) away.
Official Statements & Responses
USPS urged voters to mail ballots at least one week before the deadline and noted that voters can request a manual postmark free of charge at any post office. Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read called the situation “unacceptable,” emphasizing that voters’ voices were being silenced by delayed postmarks. Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell described the outcome as ironic, noting that the postal changes disenfranchise voters who reliably support President Donald Trump.
Criticism & Opposition
Senator Cantwell criticized the Postal Service’s policies as disenfranchising voters nationwide. Secretary Hobbs similarly condemned the USPS actions, asserting that they undermine the integrity of Washington’s mail-in voting system. Both officials called for additional resources, including more ballot drop boxes, to mitigate the impact of delayed postmarks.
On-the-Ground Reports
Pasco resident Julie Mabry expressed disappointment, noting that ballots traveling to Spokane often miss the postmark deadline. County Auditor Lori Larsen observed a large influx of late-postmarked ballots after the primary’s grace period, interpreting the numbers as evidence that many voters believed they had mailed their ballots on time.
Verbatim Quotes
- “More Oregonians had their voices go unheard just because their ballots couldn’t make it through the mail in time,” — Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read
- “To me that is a number that suggests that many, if not all, of those folks thought they were timely delivering their ballot into USPS custody,” — County Auditor Lori Larsen
What’s Next
State officials are urging voters to mail ballots early and are expanding the number of secure drop boxes ahead of the upcoming fall midterm elections. USPS has reiterated its recommendation for early mailing but has not announced further operational changes before the election cycle.
