USPS orders manual postmarks for ballots mailed same day
Postal leadership clarified policy after a voter in Columbia was denied a stamp on Election Day, stating retail employees must provide the mark upon request.
By Hugo Khalil ·
Voters mailing completed ballots today can request a manual postmark at any U.S. Postal Service retail counter. Postal leadership issued this guidance following a dispute at a branch in Columbia, Md., where an employee refused to stamp a ballot on the morning of November 3.
The voter stated that a staff member at the office located at 6801 Oak Hall Lane declined the request. According to the voter, the employee cited instructions from the postmaster against postmarking ballots. The staff member also suggested the customer use Priority Mail to secure a date stamp. The voter eventually received the postmark and had the ballot accepted at a different location.
Mark Lawrence, a USPS spokesperson, confirmed that management reviewed the event after the news inquiry. Lawrence described the refusal as an isolated incident that postal officials have now corrected. He reiterated that current rules require retail employees to provide a manual postmark for items mailed on the same day.
The service advises customers to ask a manager if a counter employee denies the request. This clarification applies to mail sent during the current day, ensuring the postmark reflects the date of mailing rather than the date of processing.
The policy update aims to remove confusion for citizens sending ballots by standard mail. By specifying the counter procedure, the Postal Service provides a direct method for voters to document the mailing date without purchasing expedited shipping.
Source: WMAR-TV
