in ballots signals problems with Trump meddling in future elections

Key Points:

• In California's last November election, mail-in ballots rejected for arriving late quadrupled compared to the previous year, largely due to new USPS policies delaying same-day mail collection in rural counties far from processing centers.
• The USPS now collects mail dropped off more than 50 miles from regional hubs the next day instead of the same day, causing ballots mailed on Election Day to be postmarked late and thus rejected under state law.
• California officials warned voters to mail ballots well before Election Day to avoid disqualification, as ballots must be postmarked by Election Day to be counted within a five-day grace period.
• President Trump has pushed for increased federal control over mail-in voting, including an executive order restricting ballot distribution and adding tracking barcodes, which has triggered numerous lawsuits challenging its constitutionality.
• The Supreme Court is considering a case on Mississippi’s law allowing ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted within five days after, a decision that could affect similar laws in 14 states including California.