For election officials in the District of Columbia and 14 states, which allow mail-in ballots to be counted if they’re received after Election Day provided they’re postmarked by Election Day, this rule has the potential to spark debate about which ballots should be counted. A Supreme Court decision, expected later this year, may disallow the practice altogether.  

Florida is not one of those states.

“For the vast majority of mail voters in Orange County, the current process will not change since ballots must be in our office by 7 p.m. on Election Day, regardless of the postmark,” Castor Dentel said by text Saturday. She added that there were a “small number of voters, including those in the military or living overseas” who follow different rules where postmarks may apply.

Municipal Elections in Oakland (and possibly Windermere) will be held March 10. The Primary Election will be held Aug. 18. The General Election will be Nov. 3.

“In all instances our advice remains the same: send your ballot back as early as possible,” Castor Dentel said. "Returning it with plenty of time, or using a secure ballot intake station (drop box) when available, helps ensure your voice is heard and every vote counts.”

Orange County has 820,060 registered voters, and there are currently 48,547 permanent vote-by-mail requests as of Jan. 2, according to the Orange County Supervisor of Elections site. (Standing mail-in ballot requests are purged after every general election, and ballots must be requested again.)

For its part, USPS stated in the Federal Register that the Postal Service is simply responsible for delivering the mail and doesn’t get involved with election rules or advocating for election practices. Though the agency did suggest that if a date-sensitive postmark were needed, say, come tax season, one could obtain a “manual postmark at a retail location at no additional cost.”