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A group of U.S. senators has raised serious concerns about recent changes to U.S. Postal Service operations that could impact the counting of mail-in ballots during this crucial election year.
Sixteen senators, primarily Democrats, sent a letter Thursday to Postmaster General David Steiner highlighting potential issues with the agency’s postmarking process. According to updated USPS policy, the postmark on mail might no longer reflect the actual day the mail was received, but rather when it was processed at a regional facility.
The timing of this operational shift is particularly troubling as the nation approaches federal elections that will determine control of Congress. Many states rely on postmark dates to verify whether a mail-in ballot should be counted, making accurate postmarking essential to the democratic process.
“Postmark delays are especially problematic in states that vote entirely or largely by mail,” the senators wrote, warning that these changes increase “the likelihood of voter disenfranchisement.”
The senators emphasized that rural communities face disproportionate risks from these changes. As the Postal Service has consolidated operations into fewer regional processing centers, mail from rural areas must travel farther before receiving a postmark, potentially causing legally cast ballots to miss counting deadlines.
USPS spokesperson Martha Johnson responded that the agency would address the concerns directly with the senators, suggesting there had been a “misunderstanding” about the policy changes. According to Johnson, the agency isn’t changing its postmarking practices but merely clarifying existing procedures.
“Our public filing was made to enhance public understanding of exactly what a postmark represents, its relationship to the date of mailing and when a postmark is applied in the process,” she explained.
The Postal Service’s website acknowledges that some mail might not arrive at processing facilities on the same day it’s collected. The agency notes that customers can request manual postmarks at post offices, which would ensure the postmark date matches the mailing date.
These changes are part of a broader USPS initiative to overhaul its processing and transportation networks, focusing on regional hubs to address the agency’s significant financial challenges. In recent years, the Postal Service has reported billions in losses, prompting cost-cutting measures including the elimination of twice-daily mail dispatches from local post offices to regional centers.
Under the new system, mail received after the only daily transfer truck departs must wait until the following day, potentially delaying postmarks by 24 hours or more.
State election officials in mail-voting states have already expressed serious concerns. California Secretary of State Shirley Weber warned that the changes “undermine vote-by-mail voting” and said her office would emphasize to voters the importance of returning ballots early if using the postal service.
Washington state, which conducts elections almost entirely by mail, is now recommending that voters who return ballots within a week of Election Day use drop boxes or voting centers rather than relying on postal service.
“Given the operational and logistical priorities recently set by the USPS, there is no guarantee that ballots returned via mail will be postmarked by the USPS the same day they are mailed,” Washington’s secretary of state’s office stated.
The senators urged Postmaster General Steiner to restore timely postmarking practices and fully implement an election mail task force to address these concerns. The signatories included lawmakers from California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Maine, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Maryland – all Democrats except for one independent who typically votes with the Democratic Party.
As mail-in voting has become increasingly common across the United States, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, the reliability of postal service operations for election mail has become a critical component of election integrity and voter access.
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11 Comments
This is a concerning development that could undermine the integrity of our elections. Accurate postmarking is critical for verifying mail-in ballots, especially in states that rely heavily on them. I hope the USPS can address these issues quickly to ensure all valid votes are counted.
Ensuring the reliability of mail-in voting is essential, especially during a pandemic when many voters may rely on it. I hope the USPS can work quickly to address these concerns and restore confidence in the process.
Agreed, the USPS needs to act swiftly to resolve these issues. Voter trust in the electoral process is paramount.
While I understand the need for operational efficiency at the USPS, the potential impact on the democratic process is alarming. Voters, especially in rural areas, need to have confidence that their mail-in ballots will be counted accurately and on time.
This is a concerning development that warrants close scrutiny. The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy, and any changes that could undermine that right should be taken extremely seriously.
Absolutely. Preserving the integrity of elections must be the top priority, regardless of partisan interests. I hope a bipartisan solution can be found.
While I understand the need for operational changes at the USPS, the timing of these shifts is highly problematic. The potential for voter disenfranchisement is deeply concerning and requires immediate attention.
The postal service changes seem ill-timed given the upcoming elections. Voters who rely on mail-in ballots need to have confidence that their votes will be counted. Disenfranchisement of rural and other vulnerable voters is unacceptable.
I agree, the timing of these changes is very troubling. The postal service needs to take immediate steps to restore confidence in the mail-in voting process.
This is a complex issue with important implications for our democracy. I appreciate the senators highlighting the potential risks to voters, especially in rural areas. Transparency and accountability from the USPS will be crucial going forward.
It’s good to see senators from both parties raising concerns about this issue. Maintaining the integrity of our elections should be a top priority, regardless of political affiliation. I hope a bipartisan solution can be found.