With the June primary approaching, California officials are urging voters to mail their ballots as early as possible due to recent changes in post office operations. Same-day postmarks are no longer guaranteed, which could affect the counting of ballots. In Santa Barbara County alone, around 35,000 ballots were returned a week prior to the election, highlighting the urgency for voters to ensure their ballots are mailed by Tuesday to be counted. Rural voters are particularly encouraged to act quickly and utilize drop boxes, as experts advise that mailing ballots early is crucial to avoid potential delays.