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Concerns Rise Over Mail Delivery Issues Impacting Mail-In Voting

Recent communications from key election officials highlight significant concerns regarding persistent delays in the United States Postal Service (USPS), which could adversely affect mail-in voting in the forthcoming presidential election. This warning coincides with ongoing efforts by former President Donald Trump to question the reliability of ballot counting mechanisms.

Officials have indicated that unless these delivery issues are addressed promptly, voters relying on mail-in ballots may face disenfranchisement this fall. A letter directed to USPS leadership outlined various challenges encountered in processing mail-in ballots over the past year.

“We urge you to implement immediate and effective corrective measures to rectify the ongoing performance issues related to USPS election mail service,” the letter states. It was signed by representatives from both the National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors, organizations comprising state and local election officials from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. “Failure to address these issues could significantly hinder voter participation and diminish trust in the election process.”

Many election officials, predominantly women, have consistently pointed out the complexities of managing the decentralized election system in the U.S. They face unique challenges, particularly in debunking the widespread misinformation surrounding election integrity that has become increasingly prevalent since 2020. Trump, along with some Republicans, has contributed to this climate of distrust by propagating falsehoods about how elections are conducted, including the timing and processing of mail-in ballots.

A number of secretaries of state recently testified to Congress about the ongoing repercussions of such disinformation, reiterating that they continue to contend with threats of violence related to their roles.

In the letter dated Wednesday, election officials expressed concern about the improper handling of mail-in ballots, which have been delayed or incorrectly processed on numerous occasions. They reported that in “nearly every state”, ballots have arrived postmarked long after Election Day—well beyond the three to five business days that USPS claims as the First-Class delivery standard.

Reports from various states indicate that officials have received an alarming number of ballots, totaling in the dozens to hundreds, arriving ten days or more after the indicated postmark date.

“There is a limit to how much election officials can do to mitigate issues arising from USPS’s failure to meet its own delivery standards,” stated the letter.

Another troubling report from election officials involved a noticeable increase in instances where mail sent to voters was marked as “undeliverable.” This has serious implications, potentially leading to voters being placed on inactive rolls, their registrations canceled, or ballots failing to reach their intended recipients or election offices.

The letter was sent to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who faced criticism in 2020 for his management of postal services during the last presidential election cycle. DeJoy stated in August that he is “confident” in the USPS’s ability to handle election mail effectively.

Adrienne Marshall, the Postal Service’s director of election mail and government services, emphasized that the agency maintains “close communication” with key election organizations. She assured that issues raised have been addressed promptly and will continue to be monitored.

“We are fully prepared to manage mail delivery. We successfully handled a historic volume of mail-in ballots during the 2020 and 2022 elections, and we are committed to doing so again in November 2024,” she mentioned in an email. The USPS recommends that voters send their ballots back at least one week before their respective state deadlines.

Although the letter’s authors recognized some of the USPS’s efforts in preparation for the upcoming elections, they cautioned that “temporary measures alone will not be adequate to resolve the ongoing challenges that have been underscored by election officials.”

Maria Benson, senior director of communications for the National Association of Secretaries of State, clarified that the organization does not intend to deter voters from using mail-in ballots where permissible.

“We strongly encourage voters to allow themselves enough time to return their ballots via USPS,” she stated in an email.

Amy Cohen, executive director of the National Association of State Election Directors, emphasized the importance of understanding state-specific regulations regarding mail-in voting. Voters are urged to request mail-in ballots well in advance, track them when possible, and either mail them early or plan to return them in person where allowed.

“If voters have any inquiries regarding receiving or returning their ballots, we strongly advise them to consult their election officials directly,” Cohen added. “Election officials are the most dependable source of information about participating in upcoming elections.”

The popularity of mail-in voting has increased significantly in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when public health measures necessitated alternative voting methods. However, the trend has evolved, with Democrats now more likely than Republicans to advocate for broader accessibility to mail-in voting. In his latest campaign, Trump has at times appeared to shift his stance on mail voting, previously encouraging supporters to utilize mail-in ballots during the Republican National Convention while simultaneously raising concerns about ballot counting procedures, particularly in crucial battleground states like Nevada and Pennsylvania.

In 2020, Trump attempted to cast doubt on ballots cast by mail that arrived at counting sites after Election Day—an action permitted in some states, though specific deadlines vary. Currently, Republican voters show a greater inclination to trust Trump and his campaign narrative over official government election results, according to a recent survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and USAFacts. Interestingly, a majority of Americans report at least a moderate level of trust in official election outcomes.

According to a recent poll by 19th News/SurveyMonkey, voters exhibit greater confidence in the security of elections conducted in their local precincts compared to their trust in larger national election processes. This sentiment is particularly pronounced among Republicans, with 76 percent trusting local elections while only 43 percent express confidence in the broader electoral framework.

Originally published by The 19th

The 19th is dedicated to addressing the ongoing challenges surrounding voting rights. Discover more about our approach in this critical election period.

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