SPRINGFIELD (Chambana Today) — With the Illinois primary just over a week away, Democratic leaders are urging voters to submit mail-in ballots immediately to avoid delays caused by recent changes to U.S. Postal Service postmark rules.

Yesterday, Democratic Party of Illinois (DPI) Chair Lisa Hernandez, U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), and Adams County Democrats Chair Kate Daniels held a press conference to stress the urgency of mailing ballots early.

“Starting at the end of last year, the Postal Service changed a postmark rule,” said Chair Hernandez. “If your ballot is mailed too close to election day, it could be marked as late and your vote will not count. Do not wait. Mail in your ballot by 5 p.m. tomorrow, exactly one week before election day.”

Congresswoman Budzinski highlighted the broader implications of the postal changes. “For so long, voters have thought they just need to drop their ballot in the mail. But with these postmark changes, especially in rural districts, it’s important to drop your ballot as early as possible, or use a dropbox or early voting site to guarantee it counts,” she said.

Daniels added, “In Adams County, mail delivery has been unusually slow — some important mail took up to two weeks to arrive. These policies make it critical to get your ballots in early or hand them directly to your county clerk.”

The warning comes after a revision to the USPS Mail Manual that may prevent ballots from being postmarked the same day they are received, creating the risk that ballots mailed on time could be marked late and rejected through no fault of the voter. USPS recommends mailing ballots at least seven days before Election Day. Voting advocates say this change could create confusion and be viewed as voter suppression, particularly affecting rural, elderly, and military voters.

Officials reminded voters that ballots can be submitted at early voting sites, official dropboxes, or county election offices. Assistance is available through the Democratic Party of Illinois Voter Protection Hotline at 855-OUR-VOTES.

“Make a plan to vote, and make sure your ballot is counted,” Budzinski said. “Your vote matters — and protecting it matters.”