MARIN COUNTY, CA — Marin County elections officials are monitoring a legal fight over new U.S. Postal Service rules for mail-in ballots but say there are no changes to the county's plans for the November election.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked USPS from implementing the rules, which would establish new requirements for ballot envelopes and require election officials to provide the Postal Service with lists of voters eligible to receive mail ballots.
The temporary restraining order is in effect for 14 days while the legal challenge continues. The Trump administration has appealed the ruling and asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene.
For now, Marin County's preparations for the Nov. 3 General Election are proceeding as planned.
"We have not been given notice from the USPS about any action related to this new rule, and voters should expect to get their ballots starting in early October," said Natalie Adona, Marin County Registrar of Voters."We have been assured by state officials that there are no changes at this time concerning mail ballot delivery and that we will be informed if any additional steps need to be taken to get voters their ballots."
The USPS rule, published in August, establishes mail preparation and data-reporting requirements for federal ballot mail. The Postal Service says the requirements are intended to improve processing and visibility of election mail.
Under the rule, states would have to meet certain envelope-design requirements and provide information about outgoing federal ballot mail before the mailings could be accepted by USPS. The Postal Service says it would not determine voter eligibility or open ballots.
Marin elections officials are encouraging voters to take the same steps they normally would before an election.
Voters who have recently moved should check their registration and make sure their current address is listed. The county said updating an address through the state's voter registration system can be faster than relying on a National Change of Address form submitted through USPS.
Voters planning to return ballots by mail also are encouraged to vote and mail them early. Using an official ballot drop box can get a completed ballot to the Elections Department more quickly.
Marin County officials said voters should mark these dates on their calendars:
"In every election, the biggest risks we face when confronted with last-minute rule changes are voter confusion and disenfranchisement," Adona said."We are committed to providing you with up to date, nonpartisan information that you can trust."
The county said voters with questions can contact the Marin County Elections Department at the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael.
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