Postmaster General Luis DeJoy has expressed confidence in the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) ability to handle the upcoming influx of election mail, including mail-in ballots, ahead of November 5th. In an interview with The Associated Press on August 29th, DeJoy stated that USPS is well-prepared for the election and that the American people should feel confident as well.
This marks a significant improvement from last year when DeJoy faced challenges in navigating an unprecedented election landscape due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He received criticism for his political donations to former President Donald Trump and for implementing cost-cutting measures while USPS faced backlogs and warnings of insolvency.
However, despite these obstacles, a post-analysis revealed that USPS successfully delivered 97.9 percent of mail-in ballots within three days during the 2020 elections. This figure improved to 98.9 percent during the 2022 midterms.
DeJoy aims to continue this upward trend in ballot delivery this year but acknowledges the need for improved messaging from USPS officials. He emphasized the importance of effectively communicating their operational capabilities and reassuring voters that things will go smoothly.
To ensure timely delivery of ballots, USPS has outlined several measures it may take, such as additional pickups and deliveries and utilizing special sort plans on processing machines. The agency has also been actively engaging with election administrators across the country, as well as Congress and other federal agencies and stakeholders, to keep them informed about ongoing preparations.
In terms of security, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), responsible for law enforcement and security within USPS, plans to implement rigorous protocols and constant monitoring to safeguard both ballots and election officials.
USPS recommends that nonmilitary voters mail their absentee ballots at least one week prior to their state’s deadline for timely delivery. However, since different states have varying mailing requirements, voters are encouraged to visit their states’ election websites for more information.
The U.S Postal Service recognizes its critical role in ensuring a secure democratic process by delivering Election Mail safely and efficiently while protecting officials from any potential threats or dangerous mail.