US counties steer mail voters to ballot drop boxes as deadlines tighten
The gist
Counties from Ohio to California are directing mail voters to official drop boxes before Election Day deadlines.
Ohio's shorter receipt window means a mailed ballot can arrive too late to count.
How it unfolded
- Oct 28, 2026Washoe County's registrar urged mail voters to use official drop boxes rather than USPS, with 20 drop-off locations available through the end of early voting on Friday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m.
- Oct 30, 2026The City of Phoenix announced voted early mail ballots must reach Maricopa County Elections by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3; drop boxes and voting locations open 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Nov 2, 2026Ohio mail-in ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day under Senate Bill 293, with no four-day grace period remaining.