With Election Day less than a week away, the Washoe County Registrar of Voters is encouraging voters who plan to vote with their mail ballot to take advantage of official ballot drop boxes rather than relying on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
Friday, Oct. 30, marks the last day of early voting and is the recommended deadline for voters who still intend to return their ballots through USPS. Voters mailing their ballots after Friday risk delays in delivery or receiving a postmark after Election Day, potentially preventing their ballots from being counted.
Recent changes to USPS transportation operations, known as Regional Transportation Optimization (RTO), mean that a postmark may not reflect the same day a ballot is placed in the mail. While USPS has not changed its postmarking practices, adjustments to transportation schedules mean some mail may not reach a processing facility until the following day, resulting in a later postmark.
Under Nevada law, mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, Nov. 3, and received by 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, to be eligible for counting. During the 2026 Primary Election, 1,837 mail ballots were postmarked after Election Day, making them too late to be counted.
“Friday, the last day of early voting, is the day to consider your options,” Registrar of Voters Andrew McDonald said. “If you plan to mail your ballot, that is the last day we recommend mailing it. Otherwise, take advantage of one of our staffed drop boxes or bring your ballot directly to our office.”
Mail ballot drop boxes are available at every vote center during early voting and on Election Day. Voters have 20 drop-off locations available through the end of early voting on Friday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m. These include all 18 early voting centers and two additional standalone locations at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony’s Pyramid Smoke Shop and Summerset Assisted Living.
On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, voters will have 42 mail ballot drop-off locations available throughout Washoe County, including all 41 vote centers and one additional standalone location. Vote centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters do not need to check in or wait in the voting line to return a completed mail ballot.
A complete list of vote center and mail ballot drop box locations is available at washoecounty.gov/votecenters.
The Registrar of Voters office will also remain available to receive mail ballots throughout the weekend and on Monday, Nov. 2, between the end of early voting and Election Day. Voters can deliver their completed ballots directly to the office at 1001 E. Ninth St., Building A, during the following hours:
- Oct. 17-30: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
- Oct. 31-Nov. 1: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
- Nov. 2: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Nov. 3 (Election Day): 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
All mail ballots returned in person must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Although the Registrar of Voters office will remain open later for other election-related services, ballots cannot be returned in person after this deadline.
For more information about voting options or assistance with the upcoming election, contact the Washoe County Registrar of Voters at 775-328-3670 or visit washoecounty.gov/voters.
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