The U.S. Postal Service says postmarks are applied at processing facilities, not when mail is collected, meaning a ballot dropped in a collection box on Election Day may not be postmarked until the next day and could go uncounted.
Your June 2 Ballot May Not Be Postmarked the Day You Mail It. Here's What to Do.
The U.S. Postal Service says postmarks are applied at processing facilities, not when mail is collected, meaning a ballot dropped in a collection box on Election Day may not be postmarked until the next day and could go uncounted.
The Riverside County Registrar of Voters mailed approximately 1.4 million ballots to county voters on May 4. How and when those ballots get returned — and postmarked — matters more than usual this cycle, as warnings from the U.S. Postal Service and California officials make clear that mailing too close to Election Day carries real risk.
According to USPS, postmarks are applied by machines at processing facilities, not at the point of collection. The agency has also adjusted its transportation operations in ways that mean some mail no longer arrives at those facilities on the same day it is collected. The practical result: a ballot dropped in a blue collection box on Election Day, June 2, may not receive a postmark until June 3 or later.
Under California law, a mailed ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the county registrar within seven days. For the June 2 primary, that receipt deadline is June 9. A late postmark means a ballot will not be counted, regardless of when it was deposited.
The City of Riverside took the step of posting a modal alert on its elections page at riversideca.gov recommending voters mail their ballots no later than May 27. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber issued similar warnings during the November 2025 Prop 50 special election cycle, urging voters to mail early, use a drop box, or request a hand-stamped postmark at a post office counter.
Voters have three options to protect their ballot:
Mail by Tuesday, May 26. The City's recommended mail-by date is May 27, but Memorial Day falls on May 25, a federal postal holiday with no processing. Mailing by May 26, or before the holiday weekend entirely, provides additional cushion. No postage is needed — the Registrar provides prepaid return envelopes with every ballot.
Use a drop box. The Registrar operates secure, monitored 24-hour drop boxes at 2720 Gateway Drive, available through 8 p.m. on June 2. Ballots deposited in an official drop box are not subject to postmark requirements. Additional drop-off locations with varying hours are available throughout Riverside, including Riverside City Hall, Riverside Main Library, La Sierra Community Center and several neighborhood libraries and community centers. A full map is available at the Registrar's website.
Request a hand-stamped postmark. Voters who mail close to the deadline can bring their ballot inside a post office and ask a clerk to hand-stamp the postmark. The postmark will reflect the date of submission and is applied free of charge.
Riverside is comparatively low-risk in this regard. The city sits within roughly 50 miles of the Los Angeles and Santa Clarita regional processing hubs, reducing the chance of same-day processing delays. Official guidance, however, recommends mailing early regardless.
One additional safeguard: if a ballot's postmark is missing or illegible, California counties will use the date the voter signed the return envelope as evidence the ballot was cast on time. Voters should always sign and date their return envelope.
Voters can track their ballot at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov, the free official tracker operated by the California Secretary of State, with email, text and voice notifications available.
A U.S. Supreme Court case originating from a Mississippi dispute could determine whether states may count ballots arriving after Election Day, but a ruling is not expected before the June 2 primary. California's seven-day post-Election-Day receipt window remains in effect.
How to vote in the June 2 primary
Every active registered voter in Riverside County has been mailed a ballot. You have several options for returning it or voting in person.
By mail: Return your ballot using the prepaid envelope. Mail by May 26 to account for Memorial Day and any processing delays. Your ballot must be postmarked by June 2 and received by June 9 to count.
By drop box: Secure drop boxes are available now through 8 p.m. on June 2 at the Registrar of Voters office at 2720 Gateway Drive and at locations throughout Riverside. Find the nearest drop-off site using the Registrar's map.
In person — early voting: Vote Centers opened May 23 and are open through June 1. Hours vary by location. Find a Vote Center at voteinfo.net.
In person — Election Day: All Vote Centers are open June 2 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You may vote at any Vote Center in the county, not just the one nearest your home.
Not yet registered: Same-day registration is available at the Registrar's office and all Vote Centers through Election Day.
More information: The Riverside County Registrar of Voters can be reached at (951) 486-7200 or at voteinfo.net. The Registrar's office is at 2720 Gateway Drive. Track your ballot at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov. The City of Riverside's elections page is at riversideca.gov/cityclerk/elections.
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