Widespread Issues Threaten Mail-In Voting in Upcoming Election

State and local election officials from across the country are raising alarms about potential disenfranchisement of voters in the upcoming presidential election due to problems with the mail delivery system. In a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, two groups representing top election administrators in all 50 states highlighted persistent deficiencies in the mail delivery system.

According to the officials, over the past year, including the recent primary season, mailed ballots that were postmarked on time arrived at local election offices days after the deadline to be counted. Additionally, properly addressed election mail was being returned as undeliverable, potentially sending voters to inactive status without their fault.

Efforts to resolve these issues with the Postal Service have failed, with officials noting a lack of understanding and enforcement of USPS policies among its employees. The letter implored DeJoy to take immediate corrective action to prevent limitations on voter participation and trust in the election process.

The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors, representing top election administrators in all states, sent the letter to DeJoy. The concerns raised come as the first mailed ballots of this year’s general election are being sent, with absentee voters in Alabama receiving them.

Despite assurances from DeJoy that the Postal Service is prepared to handle a flood of mail-in ballots, the ongoing performance issues with USPS election mail service remain a significant concern. The officials emphasized that any election mail returned as undeliverable could trigger a process that could lead to voters being moved to inactive status and requiring additional verification to participate in the election.

Efforts to mitigate these issues include promoting the use of local ballot drop boxes for early voting, as some ballots arrive without postmarks or arrive late, impacting their ability to be counted. The reliance on mail-in voting has increased in recent years, making it crucial to address the deficiencies in the mail delivery system to ensure a fair and efficient election process.

The letter underscored the need for a committed partnership between state and local election officials and the USPS to address these challenges proactively. As the election approaches, the integrity of the voting process must be upheld to safeguard democracy and ensure every vote counts.