U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has assured state election officials that the Postal Service will work with them to handle any problems with election mail delivery during the primary season, ahead of the November election. DeJoy addressed concerns raised by election officials, including the return of properly addressed election mail, postmarking of mail-in ballots on time but arriving after deadlines, and flawed ballot envelope designs. He stated that training for postal employees is being enhanced and that teams are in place to address any issues with election mail.
The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors raised concerns about mail delivery issues, while former President Donald Trump continued to falsely claim victory in the 2020 election and cast doubt on the upcoming election. The volume of mail-in voting has increased in recent years and both Democrats and Republicans are encouraging their supporters to vote early either in person or by mail. The first batch of mail-in ballots was sent to absentee voters in Alabama last week.
Steve Simon, president of the National Association of Secretaries of State, maintained that the Postal Service has been slow to respond to concerns raised by election officials. He stated that while localized issues can be addressed, larger problems still remain. Mandy Vigil, president of the National Association of State Election Directors, also expressed that the issues raised have not been adequately resolved. DeJoy acknowledged that a network reorganization caused temporary problems but assured that changes are now being limited to avoid delaying election mail ahead of the November election. He emphasized that the Postal Service’s performance in past elections has been reliable.
Postal Service officials reported that in the last presidential election, nearly 98% of ballots were returned to election officials within three days and 99.9% were delivered within seven days. DeJoy highlighted the Postal Service’s long-standing processes and procedures that have consistently ensured the timely delivery of election mail. Despite some instances of delays in first-class mail delivery, DeJoy urged voters not to procrastinate with mail-in ballots and encouraged them to return them well before Election Day or utilize drop boxes where available. Both the Postal Service and state election officials are emphasizing early voting to ensure timely processing of ballots.
In conclusion, the U.S. Postal Service is working closely with state election officials to address any concerns regarding mail delivery for the upcoming election. While there have been some challenges, efforts are being made to improve training for postal employees, enhance communication with election officials, and prevent any issues with election mail. The importance of early voting, either by mail or in person, is emphasized to ensure the timely processing of ballots and the smooth operation of the election process. Despite ongoing challenges and the attempts to sow doubt by some individuals, the Postal Service is committed to handling election mail efficiently and effectively.
