Besides the pandemic and election, the USPS controversy is one of the trending stories of 2020. President Trump has told the press he opposes emergency USPS funding that would allow voters to cast ballots by mail. Meanwhile, polls have shown a considerable increase in the number of Americans who plan to vote absentee due to the pandemic.
Here are three critical questions, the answers to which would give you a greater insight into the current USPS mail delay situation and the possible solutions:
How Do Mails Affect Elections?
Many Americans wonder what will happen with mail this election and if they should expect USPS delays. While the Postal Service is an independent entity funded by the federal government, rules about voting are set by each state. One of the major fears among voters is that the Post Office will not coordinate with the states to ensure all ballots are delivered on time.
Studies show that neither party has an advantage, and none will be benefiting from the mail delays. In the 2016 election, only a slightly more number of Democrats voted by mail than Republicans.
Overall, 24 percent of Americans voted by mail, according to federal election statistics. About 2 percent of ballots were mailed in West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, while 97 percent of voters in Washington and Oregon voted by mail. Hence, considering these figures, some states will be more affected than others by the USPS.
What Factors Have Driven the Recent Changes in the US Postal Situation?
1. Tighter Budgets
During the past decade, the Postal Service has been forced to tighten its budget due to declining revenue. Packaging, however, has been on the rise due to the convenience of ordering products online.
2. Changes in the Postal Work Culture
Louis DeJoy took over the postmaster general position in June 2020 and has since made changes to the Postal Service. The changes that postal workers report are causing mail delivery delays, including reduced overtime and post office hours. Another move by DeJoy was to assume more authority while reorganizing 23 postal executive positions.
The Postal Service has already warned 40 states through letters stating that ballots may not be delivered on time. Politicians from both major parties are now debating how these delays will affect the election.
CNN has reported the Postal Service is planning to remove nearly 700 high-volume mail sorters throughout the nation. DeJoy, who fundraises for President Trump, says the changes are needed to deal with the postal organization's uncertain financial health. The postmaster general position was decided by 6 USPS Board of Governors, all of whom were Trump appointees.
3. In-Person Voting Preferences
A poll by CNN revealed 34 percent of registered voters prefer to vote by mail in 2020, which is 10 points higher than in 2016. Another key finding was 53 percent of Biden supporters say they would prefer voting by mail while 66 percent of Trump supporters leaned toward voting in person.
What Possible Steps Can Be Implemented by the States to Resolve Mail Delays During the Elections?
One of the ways states can take action is to encourage absentee voters to send in ballots early. Another step to ensuring ballots arrive on time is to provide more opportunities for voters to drop off ballots at physical locations. According to New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie, the best way to protect your vote is to deliver your ballot to an official drop box.
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