Election 2026: Mailing your ballot? What voters need to know as Election Day approaches

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) - With Election Day less than a week away, California's recommended seven-day mailing window has passed, but voters still have several ways to return their ballots ahead of the November 3 general election.

The California Secretary of State recommends voters mail their ballots at least seven days before Election Day to allow time for processing and delivery.

That recommended window ended Tuesday, October 27. However, voters can still return their ballots through the mail, at official drop-off locations or in person.

News Channel 3 reached out to the United States Postal Service and Riverside County Registrar of Voters to clarify what voters should know about mailing deadlines, postmarks and other ballot-return options.

USPS taking additional steps to expedite election mail

In a statement to News Channel 3, the Postal Service said it remains committed to the timely and secure delivery of election mail.

"The Postal Service is committed to the secure, timely delivery of the nation's Political and Election Mail and we are confident that we will deliver another successful election season," USPS said.

According to the agency, postal managers across the country began implementing additional measures on October 24 to expedite the delivery of ballots to election offices.

Those measures may include extra mail deliveries and collections, special pickups, and localized handling and transportation of ballots.

USPS also clarified an important detail about how ballots are postmarked.

Because postmarks are generally applied at postal processing facilities, the date appearing on a ballot's postmark may not always match the date the ballot was placed in a collection box, dropped off at a retail location or picked up by a letter carrier.

However, voters who still plan to mail their ballots have another option.

"A customer can ensure that their mailpiece receives a postmark, and that the date on the postmark matches the date of mailing, by taking the mailpiece to any one of our conveniently located Postal Service retail locations and requesting a manual (local) postmark at the retail counter when dropping off the mailpiece," USPS said.

The Postal Service confirmed that manual postmarks are available free of charge.

USPS recommends mailing ballots before Election Day and at least one week before the deadline for their receipt by an election office.

In California, mailed ballots generally must be postmarked on or before November 3 and received by county election officials no later than November 10.

Local voters choosing to return ballots in person

While mailing remains an option, some Coachella Valley residents told News Channel 3 they prefer returning their completed ballots at official drop-off locations.

Trina, who dropped off her ballot in person, said the decision offered peace of mind.

"I just know I did it and it's in there and I have nothing else to worry about," she said.

Another voter, Carol, said she previously mailed her ballots but has recently preferred returning them herself.

"I've been voting for many, many years, so at the beginning I would mail it," Carol said. "More recently, I prefer to drop it off like this, so I know it's definitely taken care of."

Carol said completing her ballot at home also gave her time to carefully research candidates and measures.

Both voters said personally dropping off their ballots gave them additional confidence in the return process.

Republican and Democratic organizations helping voters return ballots

California law also allows voters to authorize another person to return their completed mail-in ballot on their behalf.

The practice, sometimes referred to as ballot harvesting or ballot collection, is legal when state requirements are followed.

Under California Elections Code Section 3017, an authorized individual may return a ballot for another voter. The person returning the ballot must complete the required information on the return envelope and follow applicable deadlines.

The law prohibits paying individuals based on the number of ballots they collect.

News Channel 3 spoke with representatives of Republican and Democratic organizations in the Coachella Valley about how they assist residents with returning their ballots.

Joy Miedecke, President of the East Valley Republican Women said the organization has helped voters with their ballots for years.

"People are very confused about ballots, especially where judges are concerned," Miedecke said. "And so we have them come in and we help them and we take their ballot and we take it up to the ROV office in Moreno Valley and have it counted."

The organization also said it offers assistance regardless of a voter's political affiliation.

At Democratic Headquarters of the Desert, Political Director Ellie Kurpiewski said the organization has returned a limited number of ballots but generally encourages people to visit official drop-off locations themselves.

"We have not been doing it, per se. We've done a couple of them," Kurpiewski said. "But what we tell folks, because City Hall is so close, we just tell them to go there immediately."

Kurpiewski said employees are instructed on the requirements for handling ballot return envelopes when voters request assistance.

She said the organization also directs residents to nearby official drop-off locations, including Cathedral City Hall and the library.

Both organizations described providing ballot-return assistance, although their approaches differ.

Riverside County Registrar: "Vote Early, Don't Delay"

In a response to News Channel 3 on Wednesday, the Riverside County Registrar of Voters emphasized that residents still have multiple ways to cast their ballots.

When asked what the county recommends to voters who have not yet returned their ballots, election officials offered a straightforward message:

"Vote Early, Don't Delay."

The Registrar's Office said residents have three convenient options for returning their ballots: voting in person, using a secure ballot drop-off location or returning their vote-by-mail ballot through USPS.

The county confirmed that mail-in ballots are accepted up to seven days after Election Day, provided they are properly postmarked on or before November 3.

Officials also reminded voters of one important requirement that could affect whether a ballot is accepted.

"Voters must sign their own designated return envelope, which is preprinted with their name," the Registrar's Office said.

That signature is used during the ballot verification process.

Riverside County has identified 107 secure ballot drop-off locations throughout the county.

Twenty early vote centers began opening October 24, with an additional 131 vote centers scheduled to open October 31.

Voters can return ballots at official drop-off locations until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

How voters can track their ballots

The Riverside County Registrar of Voters also encourages residents to use BallotTrax to monitor the status of their returned ballots.

"Voters may sign up for BallotTrax to receive updates on the status of their vote-by-mail ballot," election officials told News Channel 3.

The service allows voters to receive notifications when their ballot has been received and whether it has been accepted for counting.

Carol told News Channel 3 she was already enrolled in the service and planned to monitor her ballot after dropping it off.

Residents who have not received a ballot or need a replacement can contact the Registrar's Office at 951-486-7200 or rovweb@rivco.org.

Important dates for Riverside County voters

• October 27: California's recommended seven-day mailing window ended.
• October 31: An additional 131 Riverside County vote centers are scheduled to open.
• November 3: Election Day. In-person voting and official ballot drop-off locations close at 8 p.m. Mailed ballots generally must be postmarked by this date.
• November 10: Deadline for county election offices to receive qualifying mailed ballots postmarked by Election Day.

Helpful voter resources

• Riverside County Registrar of Voters
• Find an early voting location or ballot drop box
• Track your ballot through BallotTrax
• Check your voter registration status
• USPS Election Mail Information
• California Secretary of State Election Information

With Election Day approaching, both USPS and Riverside County election officials say voters still have options for returning their ballots.

Whether mailing a ballot, using an official drop box or voting in person, election officials encourage residents to review the deadlines, follow ballot-return instructions and check the status of their vote.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of the November 3 general election.