Step 6. Inform voters what to expect if they choose to use the mail to vote.

• For domestic, non-military voters who choose to use the mail to return their completed ballot, the Postal Service recommends that they mail their completed ballot before Election Day, and at least one week before the deadline by which their completed ballot must be received by their local election official. Some states may recommend allowing even more time for mailing completed ballots. Election officials should consider advising voters about the Postal Service‘s recommendations.
• For APO/FPO addresses, the Military Postal Service Agency recommends that military personnel serving overseas follow the return-by mail date for their location published at https://usps.com/electionmail.
• A voter can ensure that a postmark is applied to his or her return ballot by visiting a Postal Service retail office and requesting a postmark from a retailm associate when dropping off the ballot. If asked, the retail unit employee must hand-cancel the ballot upon accepting custody of the mailpiece.