"Postmarked by November 5" means that an item of mail must receive an official date stamp from the postal service on or before November 5 to be considered valid. This timestamp indicates when the mail was handled by the post office.
Understanding the Postmark Deadline
When a document, such as a vote-by-mail ballot, needs to be "postmarked by November 5," it signifies a critical deadline for submission. The postal service applies a mark—the postmark—to the envelope, showing the date and sometimes the time and location it was processed. This date is crucial for verifying that the mail was sent on time.
For specific critical documents, like vote-by-mail ballots, this deadline can be very precise. For example, ballots must be postmarked on or before 8:00 p.m. on November 5. If a ballot is postmarked on November 6, even if it arrives quickly, it would not meet the "postmarked by November 5" requirement.
Postmark Date vs. Receipt Date
It is vital to understand that the postmark date is distinct from the date the mail is received. Even if an item is postmarked by the deadline, it often must also be received by a subsequent deadline to be considered valid.
For instance, while a vote-by-mail ballot must be postmarked by 8:00 p.m. on November 5, it also needs to be received by the recipient (e.g., the elections office) no later than November 12. This means that even if you mail your ballot on November 5 and it gets the correct postmark, it will not be counted if it doesn't arrive by November 12.
The table below summarizes these critical deadlines:
| Action | Deadline/Date | Specific Time | Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postmarked | November 5 | 8:00 p.m. | Item must be submitted to postal service by this time |
| Received By | November 12 | N/A | Item must arrive at destination by this date |
Practical Implications
To ensure your mail meets the "postmarked by" deadline:
- Mail Early: Do not wait until the last minute. This allows for any unforeseen postal delays and ensures your item gets the correct postmark.
- Check Post Office Hours: If mailing on the deadline day, be aware of the post office's operating hours and cutoff times for same-day postmarking. Many post offices have a specific time their mail is processed for that day.
- Confirm Requirements: Always verify both the postmark deadline and the final receipt deadline for any important documents, as both must often be met for validity.
