Marin County's election plans for November 3 remain unchanged after a federal court temporarily blocked a new U.S. Postal Service rule that could have disrupted mail-ballot delivery, the county Elections Department said.
The new USPS rule, temporarily blocked since September 2, would impose new design and approval processes for mail-ballot envelopes and require elections officials to provide the agency with lists of voters eligible for mail ballots. If implemented and officials failed to meet the criteria, the USPS said it would not deliver the ballots. The temporary injunction halts implementation for 14 days while legal proceedings continue.
"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 Registrar of Voters Natalie Adona.
Marin County recommended voters check their registration, vote early if planning to return ballots by mail, and use official ballot drop boxes. Ballots are scheduled to be mailed October 5, with drop boxes opening October 6 and vote centers opening October 24. Election Day is November 3.