A recent study from the Public Policy Institute of California found that 1.1% of all mail ballots returned to election officials in the June 2026 statewide primary arrived late, an increase from 0.7% during the 2025 Proposition 50 special election and 0.3% in 2024.
California allows counties to count vote-by-mail ballots that are postmarked on or before Election Day as long as they arrive within seven days after the election. For the Nov. 3 general election, ballots mailed back to election officials must be postmarked by Election Day and received by Nov. 10.
"It's been pretty consistent in terms of the voter turnout on Election Day. We set it around 50% of our voters waiting until Election Day to vote," said Ken Casparis, a spokesperson for Sacramento County.
The study found that the increase in late ballots was not limited to California. Washington and Oregon also saw increases in ballots rejected for arriving late, according to the research.
"When they're casting their ballot, they need to make a plan, right? What method of getting their ballot in do they want to use?" Romero said. "And if they are using a vote-by-mail ballot, and if they are deciding to use the mail, making sure that they're getting it at a time that it's going to be processed through the USPS."
"We do plan on encouraging folks to use our ballot drop boxes, especially as we get closer to the election, just so that they don't run into any issues with postmark dates or delayed delivery to our elections office," Casparis said.
California voters can return completed mail ballots to an official drop box, polling place, vote center or county elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. The Secretary of State recommends voters who choose to mail their ballots do so at least seven days before Election Day.
"We're hoping that there's not too much disruption to our process and that voters still turn out the way that they normally would," Casparis said. "We will be doing a lot of work with our media partners to get information out to the public about the correct ways to vote."
What voters should know
Once a ballot reaches the county elections office, Sacramento County officials say it is reviewed by at least two elections staff members.
California's Secretary of State offers ballot tracking through its "Where's My Ballot?" service, which allows voters to receive updates about the status of their returned ballot.
Hence then, the article about california mail in ballots increasingly rejected as late study finds was published today ( ) and is available on CBS sacramento ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( California mail-in ballots increasingly rejected as late, study finds )
Also on site :
- Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions and Universal Film Team With American Cinematheque and Beyond Fest for ‘No Drama’ Initiative (EXCLUSIVE)
- VMAs Producer Van Toffler on Nirvana & George Michael Tributes at 2026 Awards and Why the VMAs Are Best at Their Most ‘Age, Genre & Color Blind’
- ‘America’s Got Talent’ 2026 Finale Moves to New Time Slot Tonight: Here’s How to Watch