Summary
State and election officials are raising alarms about potential disruptions to voting in the upcoming elections due to ongoing issues with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and its ballot delivery processes. Concerns include ballots being returned as “undeliverable,” significant delays in mail delivery, and a lack of enforcement of USPS policies, which could disenfranchise voters and undermine the electoral process.
As the November elections approach, officials from the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) and the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED) have expressed serious concerns regarding the reliability of USPS in handling election mail. A letter sent to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy details numerous issues, such as properly addressed ballots being returned to voters, ballots being held due to billing disputes, and a general lack of training surrounding election mail processes. Despite repeated communications with USPS, no improvements have been observed, prompting calls for immediate action to ensure timely mail delivery and uphold the integrity of the elections.
Key Issues Highlighted
-
Undeliverable Ballots: Ballots that are correctly addressed are being returned as undeliverable, raising concerns about voter disenfranchisement.
-
Delayed Mail Delivery: Timely postmarked ballots are reportedly arriving well after election day, with some taking ten days or more to be delivered.
-
Lack of Enforcement: There is a noted lack of enforcement of USPS policies that are supposed to govern election mail, contributing to the ongoing issues.
-
Training Deficiencies: A pervasive lack of training regarding USPS policies on election mail has been identified, further complicating the situation.
Call to Action
NASS President Maggie Toulouse Oliver emphasized the critical role of USPS in the democratic process, urging the Postmaster General to implement a clear plan to address these issues. The organization stresses that a reliable postal service is essential for fair and accessible elections, underscoring the urgency of resolving these delivery problems before the elections take place.
Oct. 9 / Pr Newswire / Calls attention to the urgent concerns raised by NASS regarding USPS mail delivery issues that could disenfranchise voters. The inclusion of recent audits adds credibility and depth to the narrative. “ Ongoing election mail issues have not improved, says NASS letter. WASHINGTON , Oct. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- " On behalf of state and local election officials...
Oct. 9 / Pr Newswire / Offers a similar perspective as the first, reinforcing the gravity of the situation. However, it lacks unique insights or additional data, making it somewhat redundant in the context of the topic. “ Ongoing election mail issues have not improved, says NASS letter. WASHINGTON , Oct. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- " On behalf of state and local election officials...
State and election officials issue warning over potential voting disruptions - Axios
Sep. 12 / Google News / Covers the warnings from state officials regarding potential disruptions, drawing from various reputable outlets. While informative, it presents a more fragmented view and lacks the cohesive depth found in other articles. “ State and election officials issue warning over potential voting disruptions AxiosElection officials warn that problems with USPS could cause problems in...
Officials say mail problems could affect voting - Axios
Sep. 12 / Google News / Highlights the broader implications of USPS issues on voting, referencing multiple authoritative sources. This variety enriches the discussion, although it could benefit from more detailed analysis of the specific problems. “ Officials say mail problems could affect voting AxiosElection officials raise 'serious questions' about US Postal Service ballot delivery plans...