Why election officials are pushing voters to ‘use the drop box rather than the mailbox’

Election officials in several states are urging voters to hand-deliver ballots to drop boxes instead of trusting the mail, warning that changes at the U. S. Postal Service could make ballots miss deadlines. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs told CNN voters should use a drop box, or mail early, noting that ballots sent within 10 days of the election face the most risk.

The concern follows a reduction in trips between local post offices and processing centers, which the Postal Service adopted to cut costs and which can delay postmarks. A report from Sen. Maria Cantwell and Hobbs found rejections for lateness in Washington's August 2026 primary rose 32% over the 2024 primary, with two counties above 300%. Brookings examined primaries in California, Washington and North Carolina and found late rejections about doubled in places touched by the changes. The Postal Service says ballots mailed a week ahead should arrive on time and that it will speed ballots to election offices.

Drop boxes remain politically charged. Donald Trump and other 2020 election deniers have attacked them, and more than 10 states ban or don't use them.

Summarized by PolitiKool from CNN’s reporting. Read the full story at CNN →