A coalition of Democratic U.S. senators has expressed serious concerns regarding changes to the United States Postal Service (USPS) that could jeopardize the integrity of mail-in voting. In a letter sent on March 15, 2024, the senators emphasized that alterations to mail processing procedures might lead to delays in postmark dates for ballots, particularly in an election year critical for determining control of Congress.
The updated USPS policy states that postmarks may now reflect the date when mail is handled at processing centers rather than when it is actually received. This shift could disproportionately affect voters in rural areas, where mail must travel greater distances to reach processing hubs. The senators warned that these changes could result in ballots being legally cast but ultimately not counted due to delays caused by the new system.
In their correspondence to Postmaster General David Steiner, the senators wrote, “Postmark delays are especially problematic in states that vote entirely or largely by mail.” They highlighted that many states rely on postmark dates to ascertain the validity of mail-in ballots. “These changes will only increase the likelihood of voter disenfranchisement,” they added, underscoring the potential impact on electoral participation.
The USPS acknowledged receipt of the letter and stated it would respond directly to the senators. Martha Johnson, a spokesperson for the agency, clarified that while the postal service is not altering its postmarking practices, adjustments in transportation operations might result in some mailpieces not arriving at processing facilities on the same day they are mailed. “The date on the postmarks applied at our processing facilities will not necessarily match the date on which the customer’s mailpiece was collected,” she explained.
As part of its initiative to enhance efficiency, the USPS has eliminated twice-daily mail dispatches from local post offices to regional processing centers. This means that mail received after the final transfer truck departs will remain unsent until the next scheduled transfer, potentially delaying ballots during crucial voting periods.
Election officials from states that predominantly use mail-in voting have raised alarms regarding these postal changes. Shirley Weber, California’s Secretary of State, stated, “Not being able to have faith that the Postal Service will mark ballots on the day they are submitted undermines vote-by-mail voting.” Her office plans to enhance voter messaging, urging those who use mail-in ballots to return them as early as possible.
In Washington state, where nearly all voting occurs by mail, election officials recommend that voters returning ballots within a week of Election Day utilize drop boxes or voting centers. The Secretary of State’s office warned, “Given the operational and logistical priorities recently set by the USPS, there is no guarantee that ballots returned via mail will be postmarked the same day they are mailed.”
The senators urged David Steiner to restore timely postmarks and establish a task force dedicated to election mail issues. The letter was signed by lawmakers from various states, including California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Maine, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Maryland. Notably, all signatories are Democrats except for one independent senator who typically aligns with the party.
As the nation approaches a significant election cycle, the implications of these postal service changes could reverberate across the political landscape, potentially affecting voter turnout and the overall democratic process. The USPS’s response to these concerns will be closely scrutinized as officials and citizens alike prepare for the upcoming elections.