USPS gears up for surge in mail-in ballots ahead of 2024 election

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE IS PREPARING FOR AN ANTICIPATED SURGE IN MAIL-IN BALLOTS with the 2024 election less than 2 months away.

POSTMASTER GENERAL LOUIS DEJOY ADDRESSing CONCERNS RAISED BY ELECTION OFFICIALS.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE ELECTION DIRECTORS WROTE A LETTER TO DEJOY CONCERNED THE SURGE IN MAIL-IN BALLOTS WOULD CAUSE EXCEPTIONALLY LONG DELIVERY TIMES AND AN INCREASE IN MAIL RETURNED AS UNDELIVERABLE.

DEJOY RESPONDED BY ASSURING ELECTION OFFICIALS THAT THE USPS IS PREPARED FOR THAT EXPECTED SURGE.

DEJOY REPORTED INTENSIFIED TRAINING FOR POSTAL EMPLOYEES TO ADDRESS QUALITY ISSUES THAT LED TO INCORRECT DELIVERIES IN THE PAST.

HE ALSO SAYS THE USPS HAS ESTABLISHED DEDICATED TEAMS TO MANAGE MAIL FLAGGED AS ‘UNDELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED’ AND TO SWIFTLY RESOLVE ELECTION MAIL-RELATED CHALLENGES.

BOTH THE POSTAL SERVICE AND STATE ELECTION OFFICIALS ARE URGING VOTERS TO RETURN BALLOTS WELL BEFORE ELECTION DAY OR UTILIZE AVAILABLE DROP BOXES.

POLITICAL PARTIES ARE MOBILIZING SUPPORTERS TO VOTE EARLY, EITHER THROUGH MAIL-IN BALLOTS OR IN-PERSON VOTING, SIGNALING A STRATEGIC SHIFT IN CAMPAIGN TACTICS.

THE 2020 ELECTION SAW OVER 69 MILLION BALLOTS SENT THROUGH THE POSTAL SYSTEM, SETTING A PRECEDENT THAT CONTINUES TO INFLUENCE VOTING PATTERNS.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.