Election Officials Express Concern Over Potential Voting Disruptions in 2024 Due to Mail Issues

A group of election officials from across the United States has expressed concern that issues with the country's mail system could cause disruptions in the 2024 presidential election. This warning comes with only a few weeks remaining before the election.

Concerns About the USPS's Ability to Deliver

In a letter to Louis DeJoy, the postmaster of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), the National Association of State Election Directors and the National Association of Secretaries of State expressed their ongoing worries about the USPS's capacity to function effectively before the November 5th contest. They highlighted that over the past year, ballots that were mailed on time often arrived at local election offices after the deadline for counting. The groups also pointed out that election mail that was correctly addressed was returned as undeliverable, which could lead to voters being wrongly classified as inactive. This could cause confusion when these voters attempt to vote.

Problems with Mail Delivery

The letter further stated that election officials across the country have raised serious questions about the operations of processing facilities, lost or delayed election mail, and inadequate training impacting the USPS's ability to deliver election mail promptly and accurately. The officials also reported that mail sent to voters is being marked as "undeliverable" at higher than usual rates, even in cases where the voter is known not to have moved. This issue has affected various types of election mail, including informational mailers about important election information, voter address confirmation cards, and ballots.

Unresolved Issues and Calls for Action

Despite these alleged problems, the groups stated that their repeated attempts to contact the USPS to resolve these issues have not resulted in any changes. They attributed the mail delivery problems to a widespread lack of understanding and enforcement of USPS policies among its employees. They urged immediate and significant corrective action to address the ongoing performance issues with USPS election mail service, warning that failure to do so could risk limiting voter participation and trust in the election process.

USPS's Response

In response to the letter, the USPS stated that it is prepared to handle mail-in ballots. However, it advised voters who wish to submit ballots through the mail not to delay. Adrienne Marshall, director of Election Mail and Government Services, asserted that the USPS successfully delivered a historic volume of mail-in ballots in 2020 and 2022 and will do so again in November 2024. In December, the USPS announced that it had consistently delivered mail and packages to 98 percent of the U.S. population in fewer than three days during peak volume periods. DeJoy had previously addressed criticism of his management of the USPS, acknowledging that the service has struggled recently due to "degraded operating conditions."

Vote-by-Mail Efforts Expanded

During the 2020 election, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, election officials in multiple states expanded vote-by-mail efforts. Former President Donald Trump claimed that mail-in ballots could lead to election fraud after that election. However, in 2024, he has encouraged GOP voters to vote by mail, early in-person, or on Election Day itself.

Bottom Line

The concerns raised by these election officials highlight the potential challenges that could arise in the upcoming 2024 presidential election due to issues with the USPS. The situation underscores the importance of a reliable mail system for a smooth and fair election process. What are your thoughts on this matter? Feel free to share this article with your friends and join the conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.