How to make sure your mailed ballot counts in US midterm elections: Mail it early because the postmark date may not match the day you dropped it in the mailbox

For voters planning to use a mailed ballot in the 2026 US midterm elections, one small detail can make a big difference: when the ballot gets its postmark. Election Day is November 3, 2026, but voters should not wait until the final day to send a ballot through the mail. The date you put your ballot in the mailbox may not always be the same date shown on the postmark. This is why election officials recommend sending a completed ballot early. The information is taken from California State Portal, States United Democracy Center and States United Action.