How late is too late to mail ballot in CA? What to know about USPS mail change
The 2025 statewide special election is about a week away — and California voters will soon decide whether to approve or reject a statewide ballot proposition.
Proposition 50 seeks to redraw boundaries for many of California’s congressional districts.
“You have a number of ways to participate as California continues to protect and expand your right to vote,” the California Secretary of State’s Office said on its website. “We uphold universal vote-by-mail ballots, multiple in-person voting approaches, same-day voter registration and provisional voting, all designed to make voting accessible and secure.”
If you plan to mail your ballot ahead of Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 4 — be aware that postal delays could affect when it’s postmarked.
A recent U.S. Postal Service policy change could cause delays for voters living more than 50 miles from a regional mail hub.
This includes rural areas in Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and San Luis Obispo counties.
To ensure your vote is counted, here’s how late you can mail your ballot in California:
How could new USPS policy affect special election?
Some areas of California could see delays in ballot collection due to recent changes to the U.S. Postal Service, according to a news release from California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office.
“This year, it is critical that Californians vote as early as possible,” Bonta said in the Oct. 2 release. “In many parts of California, recent changes in the U.S. Postal mail service mean that your ballot may not be counted if you drop it off at a post office or a USPS mailbox on Election Day.”
Under the new USPS policy, mail-in ballots sent from areas more than 50 miles away from one of California’s six regional mail processing centers might not be postmarked the same day they’re mailed.
In Northern California, there are two centers — one in West Sacramento and another in Richmond.
The other four centers are in Santa Clarita, Los Angeles, Bell Gardens and San Diego.
How late can I mail my California ballot?
This year, San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano said the USPS cannot guarantee that ballots mailed after Wednesday, Oct. 28, will arrive in time to be counted.
Voters who miss the Oct. 28 mailing deadline should take their ballot directly to a post office and ask for a hand-stamped postmark to make sure it’s counted, Cano told The Tribune in San Luis Obispo.
Bonta said a postmark will ensure your ballot is counted on time.
“And remember: You have other options, like dropping your ballot off at a vote center or in a secure drop box,” Bonta said. “Our election laws provide the backbone for a free and fair election, and as California’s top law enforcement officer, I will do everything in my power to protect your right to vote.”
How do I track my ballot for California special election?
According to state elections officials, you can stay updated by signing up online for Where’s My Ballot?
Powered by BallotTrax, Where’s My Ballot? lets voters know when their mail-in ballots have been sent out, received by the county and accepted online.
What’s the deadline to register to vote?
Though the last day to register to vote in the special election was Monday, Oct. 20, eligible California residents can sign up for same-day voter registration until Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Voters can “conditionally” register and use provisional ballots to cast their votes.
Who is eligible to vote in California?
To be eligible to vote in California, you must be:
- A United States citizen
- A California resident
- At least 18 years old on Election Day
- Currently not serving time in a state or federal prison for a felony conviction
- Currently not found mentally incompetent by a court ruling
Where can I vote in person in California?
Eligible U.S. citizens can find their nearest location for early voting on the California Secretary of State’s website.
“Every Californian has the right to cast a ballot free from intimidation, harassment, or coercion,” California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber said in the Oct. 2 release. “Anyone who is subject to, or witnesses any type of, voter interference should report it to my office, their county elections office, or to elections workers on site.”
When are polls open for special election in California?
On Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 4 — polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Beginning at 8 p.m., county elections officials will tally election results, according to the California Secretary of State.
This story was originally published October 28, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "How late is too late to mail ballot in CA? What to know about USPS mail change."
