Officials warn mail delays could prevent voters from participating in election.
State and local elections officials from nearly half of the states have issued a warning to the U.S. Postal Service about ongoing issues with election mail delivery that could potentially disenfranchise voters. The officials urged the service to promptly address these deficiencies before the upcoming presidential election.
In a letter addressed to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, leaders of various groups representing election administrators expressed concerns about the Postal Service’s performance leading up to Election Day on Nov. 5. The letter highlighted the long-standing questions raised by elections officials regarding the service’s ability to deliver election mail on time and accurately.
Despite engaging with the Postal Service on multiple occasions, the officials noted a lack of improvement or concerted efforts to address their concerns. With millions of voters expected to cast their ballots by mail in the weeks preceding Election Day, the urgency to resolve these issues is paramount.
The officials emphasized the crucial role of the USPS as a partner to state and local election officials, stressing the need for immediate and tangible corrective actions to improve election mail service. Failure to address these ongoing performance issues could undermine voter participation and erode trust in the election process.
Efforts over the past few years to encourage voters to request and return mail-in ballots early have been overshadowed by the delayed delivery of ballots in nearly every state. There have been reports of ballots arriving postmarked on time but received after the Election Day deadline in many states, raising concerns about timely ballot processing.
Furthermore, election officials expressed alarm over mail sent to voters being marked as undeliverable at higher-than-usual rates, even when the voter’s address has not changed. This issue has affected various election mail items, including informational mailers, address confirmation cards, and ballots, leading to ballots being returned to voters as undeliverable.
The consequences of undeliverable mail extend beyond delayed voting, potentially triggering processes under federal law that could render voters inactive or require additional steps to verify their eligibility to vote. The increase in undeliverable mail poses a significant risk of disenfranchisement for voters who fail to receive their ballots or have their voter registration records canceled.
In addition to delivery concerns, election officials highlighted widespread training issues among USPS staff, resulting in inconsistent guidance being provided to election officials and potential delays or mishandling of ballots. These training deficiencies indicate a systemic lack of understanding and enforcement of USPS policies among its employees.
The letter was jointly sent by the National Association of State Election Directors, the National Association of Secretaries of State, and presidents of local election associations representing administrators across the country. The urgency of addressing these issues stems from the critical role of mail-in voting, particularly during a presidential election.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, appointed during the Trump administration, faced scrutiny over mail-delivery delays leading up to the 2020 election. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a record 69% of voters cast their ballots by mail or before Election Day in 2020, underscoring the importance of efficient mail delivery services.
Both Republicans and Democrats have encouraged early voting as a safe and convenient option for voters. Even former President Donald Trump, a vocal critic of mail-in ballots, acknowledged the value of absentee and early voting as viable options for Americans to participate in the electoral process.
As the nation gears up for another crucial election cycle, the timely delivery of election mail will be instrumental in ensuring voter participation and upholding the integrity of the democratic process. State and local officials, along with the USPS, must work collaboratively to address the identified issues and prioritize the efficient handling of election mail to safeguard the rights of all eligible voters.
