  We study variants of the mixed finite element method (mixed FEM) and the
first-order system least-squares finite element (FOSLS) for the Poisson problem
where we replace the load by a suitable regularization which permits to use
$H^{-1}$ loads. We prove that any bounded $H^{-1}$ projector onto piecewise
constants can be used to define the regularization and yields quasi-optimality
of the lowest-order mixed FEM resp. FOSLS in weaker norms. Examples for the
construction of such projectors are given. One is based on the adjoint of a
weighted Cl\'ement quasi-interpolator. We prove that this Cl\'ement operator
has second-order approximation properties. For the modified mixed method we
show optimal convergence rates of a postprocessed solution under minimal
regularity assumptions -- a result not valid for the lowest-order mixed FEM
without regularization. Numerical examples conclude this work.
