The U.S. Postal Service is encouraging Colorado voters to mail their ballots as soon as possible given that they must arrive at the Clerk & Recorder’s Office by 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. Only ballots that arrive by then will be counted; postmarks do not count.

Meanwhile, Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams recommends voters who have not yet returned their ballots either drop off their ballots with their county clerks or use a designated county drop-off location.

Several county clerks have expressed concern that the U.S. Postal Service did not deliver their ballots in a timely manner, according to a statement prepared by Williams.

Ballots that mailed are, for the most part, sent to the USPS’s sorting center in Denver, and then returned to the county clerks.

“That’s why the secretary of state’s office is recommending ballots be hand-delivered rather than mailed to ensure they are received by Election Day,” according to the statement.

USPS District Manager Selwyn Epperson, who oversees mail operations for the state, says Colorado postal employees are ready for the return of those ballots.

“We’ve already processed thousands of ballots and are delivering them to the clerks and recorders in Colorado’s 64 counties,” said Epperson. “The Postal Service anticipates a large influx this week and we are ready to ensure each and every Colorado vote is counted this year.”

All ballots require postage and in some instances extra postage is necessary because of weight.

“The Postal Service has served a role in the very fabric of this nation for two and a half centuries,” said Epperson. “We are honored to be part of the Colorado Election process.”