USPS Chief Promises Timely Delivery of Mail-in Ballots Amid Concerns

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy pledged on Thursday that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will undertake “heroic efforts” to ensure all mail-in ballots are delivered on time for the upcoming elections. DeJoy urged voters to send their ballots at least one week before Election Day on November 5 to guarantee timely delivery.

At a news conference, DeJoy emphasized the USPS’s readiness to handle mail-in ballots despite recent concerns from a bipartisan group of election officials and former President Donald Trump’s repeated false claims about mail-in voting fraud. “Let me be clear, the Postal Service is ready to deliver the nation’s mail-in ballots,” DeJoy stated.

DeJoy highlighted that the USPS will implement “extraordinary measures” to support mail-in voting, including special post office lines for ballots, additional deliveries and collections by letter carriers, extended drop-off hours at election offices, and keeping processing facilities open on the Sunday before Election Day.

In response to Trump’s recent social media posts and interviews, which have criticized USPS handling of ballots, DeJoy remained cautious but firm. He did not directly address Trump’s allegations but rebuffed them indirectly, asserting, “My response is like my response to everyone who says we’re not prepared for the election – it is that they’re wrong.”

DeJoy expressed concern about the potential impact of ongoing criticisms on public confidence in the Postal Service. “There is a heightened sensitivity and scrutiny across the entire vote-by-mail ecosystem,” he noted. “The American public will become increasingly alarmed if there is ongoing dialogue that continues to question the reliability of the Postal Service for the upcoming elections.”

Trump’s attacks on mail-in voting have been a central issue in recent political discourse. Despite studies showing that voter fraud is rare and that mail-in voting does not disproportionately favor one party, Trump’s claims have influenced public perception and GOP voter sentiment.

During the 2020 election, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the USPS successfully delivered nearly 99% of ballots within seven days. DeJoy, who assumed his role in June 2020, praised the USPS’s performance during that contentious period.

Recent concerns from the National Association of Secretaries of State, representing both Democratic and Republican officials, have raised alarms about delays and undeliverable election mail. The association’s letter to DeJoy highlighted issues such as long delivery times and a higher rate of undeliverable mail.

DeJoy assured that he is committed to improving coordination with election officials. “I have agreed to stay more in contact with them,” DeJoy said, promising increased integration and responsiveness from USPS’s regional teams.

As the election approaches, DeJoy’s commitment to addressing these concerns aims to bolster confidence in the Postal Service’s ability to manage the crucial task of delivering mail-in ballots.