The U.S. Postal Service’s Role in the 2024 Election: A Cause for Concern

As the 2024 election approaches, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) finds itself at the center of a brewing storm. State and local election officials have raised alarms about the postal service’s ability to deliver ballots on time, potentially disenfranchising voters across the nation. A recent letter from the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) and the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED) has highlighted these concerns, urging the USPS to address ongoing deficiencies in its operations.

The Warning from Election Officials

In a letter addressed to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, election officials expressed their worries about the USPS’s performance, particularly in light of the challenges faced during the recent primary season. The letter noted a troubling trend: local election officials reported significant delays in mail delivery, which could hinder voters’ ability to cast their ballots in a timely manner. With less than two months until Election Day, the urgency for the USPS to rectify these issues has never been more critical.

“State and local election officials need a committed partner in USPS. We implore you to take immediate and tangible corrective action to address the ongoing performance issues with USPS election mail service,” the letter stated. This plea underscores the vital role the postal service plays in ensuring a smooth electoral process.

Identifying the Problems

The letter from NASS and NASED outlined several key issues that have plagued the USPS in recent months. Election officials across the country have reported problems such as:

• Processing Facility Operations: Concerns have been raised about the efficiency of USPS processing facilities, which are crucial for handling the volume of election mail.
• Lost or Delayed Election Mail: Instances of ballots being lost or arriving late have been documented, raising fears that voters may not have their voices heard.
• Training Deficiencies: Front-line USPS employees may not be adequately trained to handle election mail, further complicating the delivery process.

These issues have led to alarming situations where ballots, even when mailed on time, arrive well after Election Day. In some cases, properly addressed election mail has been returned to election officials, potentially causing voters to be marked as inactive and disenfranchised.

USPS’s Response to Concerns

In response to the letter from election officials, the USPS issued a statement asserting its readiness to deliver mail-in ballots for the upcoming election. Adrienne Marshall, Director of Election Mail and Government Services, emphasized the postal service’s successful track record in previous elections, stating, “We were successful in 2020 delivering a historic volume of mail-in ballots; also in 2022 and will do so again in November 2024.”

DeJoy echoed this sentiment in a recent interview, expressing confidence that the USPS is prepared to handle the anticipated influx of mail-in ballots. However, the concerns raised by state officials suggest that the USPS may need to take more proactive measures to ensure timely delivery.

Broader Concerns from State Officials

The apprehension surrounding the USPS’s ability to deliver ballots is not limited to the NASS and NASED letter. Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab has also voiced his concerns, revealing that nearly 1,000 ballots from a recent primary election could not be counted due to late arrivals or missing postmarks. Schwab’s frustration was palpable when he remarked, “The Pony Express is more efficient at this point,” highlighting the urgency of the situation.

In light of these issues, Schwab has advised Kansas residents to utilize local drop boxes instead of relying on the postal service for ballot delivery. This recommendation reflects a growing sentiment among election officials that alternative methods may be necessary to ensure voters can participate in the electoral process.

The Countdown to Absentee Voting

As the election draws nearer, the first mailed ballots have already been dispatched to absentee voters in Alabama, marking the beginning of a critical phase in the electoral process. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, several states have begun mailing ballots more than 45 days before Election Day, including Arkansas, Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

With other states set to follow suit in the coming days, the pressure is mounting on the USPS to deliver these ballots efficiently and on time. Voters across the country are counting on the postal service to fulfill its role in facilitating a fair and accessible election.

Conclusion

As the 2024 election approaches, the U.S. Postal Service’s ability to deliver ballots on time is under intense scrutiny. With state and local election officials raising serious concerns about the postal service’s performance, the stakes have never been higher. The USPS must act swiftly to address these issues and ensure that every voter can participate in the democratic process. The eyes of the nation are watching, and the integrity of the upcoming election may very well depend on the postal service’s response to these challenges.