DeJoy says the company is in a greater place than ever to deal with the impending surge of election mail.
Postmaster Common Luis DeJoy says the U.S. Postal Provider (USPS) is able to deal with the upcoming deluge of election mail, together with mail-in ballots, forward of Nov. 5.
“We’re going to be in nice form for the election. I’m lovely assured about the whole thing that we’re doing. The American other people must be assured,” DeJoy informed The Related Press on Aug. 29, forward of a media briefing at the carrier’s election arrangements.
That marks an growth from 2020, when DeJoy spent his first months at the task navigating a completely new election panorama marked by means of unheard of ranges of absentee balloting because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the time, DeJoy confronted grievance over his political donations to then-President Donald Trump and for pushing cost-cutting measures amid backlogs and warnings that USPS was once barreling towards insolvency.
Nonetheless, a post-analysis discovered that USPS delivered 97.9 p.c of mail-in ballots from citizens to election officers inside of 3 days in 2020. That determine progressed to 98.9 p.c all over the 2022 midterms.
DeJoy is hoping to proceed that upward pattern this yr. However as officers paintings towards that purpose, he mentioned they will have to additionally enhance their messaging.
“We need to be louder than the noise in speaking how smartly we’re going to do and that issues are going to be OK,” DeJoy mentioned. “Issues are going to be excellent. We’re in a greater running place than we ever were.”
For this yr’s election, USPS has mapped out a number of measures it is going to take to make sure the well timed supply of ballots, together with additional pickups and deliveries and the use of particular type plans on processing machines.
USPS officers have additionally been in conversation with election directors around the nation, in addition to Congress and different federal companies and stakeholders, to tell them of the continued arrangements.
In the meantime, the carrier’s regulation enforcement and safety arm, the U.S. Postal Inspection Provider (USPIS), plans to put in force “rigorous safety protocols” and loyal tracking to make sure the protection of ballots and election officers.
“We perceive the important function we play within the democratic procedure, and we’re resolute in our efforts to protected the supply of ballots and all Election Mail,” Brendan Donahue, USPIS assistant inspector in fee, mentioned in a commentary.
“We’re dedicated to making sure the secure and protected supply of Election Mail to and from citizens, the integrity of our country’s elections, and the safety of election officers from threatening and perilous mail.”
To verify well timed supply, USPS recommends that nonmilitary citizens mail their absentee ballots a minimum of one week previous to their states’ closing dates. On the other hand, as other states have other mailing necessities, the company encourages citizens to test their states’ election internet sites for more info.
The Related Press contributed to this record.