Election integrity may be at risk due to ongoing USPS issues.
State and local election authorities in the U.S. have voiced concerns that persistent problems with the U.S. Postal Service could impact voter participation in the upcoming presidential election, the New York Post reported.
Beyond simple delivery delays, the broader implications for the electoral process are vast and concerning. During recent primary seasons, many ballots that were postmarked by the required dates arrived too late to be counted. Additionally, mishandlings like wrongly marking election mail as undeliverable could lead to inaccurate classification of voters as inactive, jeopardizing their ability to vote.
To address these issues, a combined effort led by the National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors resulted in a direct plea to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. They implored for immediate improvements to avoid the disenfranchisement of voters. A strongly worded letter detailed the issues, reflecting the escalating frustrations among election officials nationwide.
Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab has been particularly vocal in criticizing the USPS's handling of election ballots. He cited specific incidents in Kansas where officials rejected ballots because they lacked postmarks or had been marked as late.
Serious doubts remain about the postal service's ability to adequately handle election mail despite claims by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy regarding their preparedness. DeJoy's assertions sharply contrast with reports showing that nearly 98% of ballots were returned on time in the 2020 election and 99% in the 2022 election.
In an expressive critique, Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab remarked, "The Pony Express is more efficient at this point," illustrating the depth of his frustration with the postal service's inefficiencies.
The collective plea from the election officials stressed the need for the USPS to act swiftly and effectively.
We have not seen improvement or concerted efforts to remediate our concerns. We implore you to take immediate and tangible corrective action to address the ongoing performance issues with USPS election mail service. Failure to do so will risk limiting voter participation and trust in the election process.
Despite ongoing dialogues and multiple warnings, the USPS has been unable to guarantee the timely delivery of ballots, threatening the very foundation of voter participation and trust in electoral systems.
Election officials assert there is a significant gap in USPS staff's understanding and enforcement of proper election mail handling procedures. Experts view this lack of consistent policy application as a potential threat to the integrity of electoral processes.
Concerns come at a time when trust in the U.S. electoral process is already under scrutiny, exacerbated by discussions and doubts spread by influential figures including former President Trump. This situation puts additional pressure on postal services to ensure their operations are beyond reproach during the electoral period.
The timely handling and delivery of election mail is crucial. As officials begin to distribute absentee ballots for the general election, they grow increasingly urgent about resolving these issues. The effectiveness of the USPS in managing election mail will undoubtedly influence public trust in the electoral outcomes. As election officials highlight, without a reliable postal service to handle the surge in mailed ballots, the fundamental rights of voters are at risk.
In summary, the call from election officials is clear: without major improvements in USPS operations and a guarantee of timely mail delivery, voter disenfranchisement could be a serious issue in the upcoming elections. The integrity of the voting process hangs in the balance, dependent largely on the USPS's ability to address and rectify its current shortcomings in handling election mail.
