The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Crescent City Times.com By Mark Meuser – October 30, 2025 I wanted to give you a quick update with some important information about returning your ballot.As long as your ballot is postmarked by Election Day, election officials will count your vote. However, here’s the bad news: due to changes made by the Post Office, your mail is no longer postmarked at your local post office. Instead, it travels to a regional processing center, where it is postmarked.Regional centers are not always diligent about postmarking ballots, and sometimes the process can take several days. Because of this, if you are planning to mail your ballot, please drop it in the mail no later than Friday, October 31.If you cannot mail your ballot by October 31, you still have options:* Drop it off at your County Registrar of Voters office * Drop it off at any vote centerPlace it in an official ballot drop box * Give your ballot to a trusted friend or family member to drop off for you * Or go in person to a vote center and cast your ballot directlyIf you are one of the millions of common-sense voters who has not yet voted, please make a plan to vote and get it done. Every ballot counts.Mark MeuserP.S. My team is working hard to help educate voters about the importance of getting this message out. I appreciate all those who have contributed to ensure that my team has the resources it needs to educate voters on why Proposition 50 is a terrible deal for California.