Did the US Postal Service change its postmark rules?

The U.S. Postal Service did not change its postmark rules, although it did change its Domestic Mail Manual to clarify how it postmarks mail. The USPS states mail is generally postmarked with the date it was first received at a processing facility.

What did recently change, according to the USPS, is its “transportation operations that will result in some mailpieces not arriving at our originating processing facilities on the same day that they are mailed.”

Some people have raised concerns about the mailing of bills, absentee ballots and other items that require a specific postmark date. Connecticut voters should not be affected by the potential delays because the state does not require a postmark to accept an absentee ballot, but that it is returned before polls close on Election Day.

Those concerned about a postmark date, however, can request a manual postmark at the time of the mailing.