Page 2 - aruba-today-20240927

A2 UP FRONT
Friday 27 September 2024
U.S. lawmakers' concerns about mail ballots are fueled by other

issues with mail service

Democratic Rep. Matt Cart-
Continued from Front wright of Pennsylvania, a key
swing state in the presidential
In recent weeks, DeJoy has election, pointed to an end-
pushed back on suggestions of-July report from the Postal
from state and local elec- Service's inspector general
tion officials that the Postal saying that in some places,
Service has not addressed Postal Service workers weren't
problems that led to mail following its procedures for
ballots arriving too late or handling mail ballots.
without postmarks, disen- "We're doing very well at this
franchising those voters.But — just not perfect," DeJoy
as subcommittee members said. He said the inspector
asked DeJoy about how the general's office "has a couple
Postal Service has addressed hundred people" to investi-
election officials' concerns, gate potential problems and
they criticized a larger, 10- "interrogate our people."
year plan to make the mail Though the subcommittee
delivery system more efficient said it was examining issues
and less costly by consolidat- about mail ballots, several
ing mail processing centers, members used the hearing
suggesting it could slow mail to air other issues that trouble
delivery, particularly in rural them, particularly the larger
areas. DeJoy disputed that. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, testifies during a House Committee on Appropriations plan to reorganize the mail
DeJoy has said repeatedly Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government oversight hearing on the United delivery system.
States Postal Service's role in Federal election integrity, Thursday, Sep 26, 2024, on Capitol Hill in
that the Postal Service's larger Washington. DeJoy said the Postal Serv-
plans won't affect the han- Associated Press ice has embarked on long-
dling of potentially tens of problems with mail delivery Joyce said. "It is imperative time. DeJoy said the Postal overdue investments in "ratty"
millions of mail ballots for are on constituents' minds that the Postal Service get Service has improved its train- facilities and making other
the Nov. 5 election because as the presidential election this right." ing and touted a year-round changes to create "a Postal
the plan is on hold for Octo- approaches. DeJoy told the lawmak- task force he created to deal Service for the future" and
ber and the first half of No- "Many of our constituents ers that the Postal Service's with mail ballot issues. deliver mail faster. But law-
vember. But subcommittee have expressed concerns 650,000 employees will be sift- "We do everything we pos- makers in several states have
Chair David Joyce, an Ohio about the Postal Service's ing through 300 million pieces sibly can in an imperfect sys- argued that mail delivery
Republican, told him in open- ability to deliver election bal- of mail to capture stray bal- tem that expects the perfect, slowed after regional hubs
ing the hearing that broader lots securely and on time," lots and ensure they arrive on and we're a good target for were consolidated.
a lot of blame," DeJoy said. Democratic Rep. Mark
DeJoy said that nearly 99.9% Pocan, of Wisconsin, sug-
of the mail ballots from the gested that a pilot program
2020 election were delivered consolidating some mail
within seven days, the "rec- processing in Green Bay,
ommended commonsense Wisconsin, had failed and
time frame." Asked whether said the larger reorganiza-
people can trust mail ballots, tion should remain on hold
DeJoy said, "Absolutely, ab- "forever." DeJoy said a pilot
solutely." program allowed a test of
Scrutiny of the Postal Service potential changes and prob-
intensified earlier this month lems are being addressed af-
when the National Associa- ter telling Pocan, "You know,
tion of Secretaries of State the first rockets that went to
and National Association of the moon blew up."
State Election Directors sent Pocan shot back: "Thanks for
DeJoy a letter saying that blowing up Wisconsin."
their concerns weren't be- Cartwright expressed con-
ing adequately addressed, cern about a potential slow-
releasing it to news organi- down of rural mail delivery.
zations. DeJoy said he's had DeJoy suggested the Postal
a good working relationship Service was a financial and
with them. operational mess when he
But Joyce said that in Ohio's became postmaster general
Nov. 7, 2023, election, when in 2020 and badly needed
voters approved an amend- fixing, but Cartwright said,
ment to the state constitution "You really think that rural
protecting abortion rights, Americans should have to
some ballots mailed by vot- pay the price?"
ers on Oct. 24 did not arrive DeJoy responded: "I disagree
until Nov. 21 — 10 days too with the premise, and I think
late to be counted. DeJoy it's an unfair accusation, con-
said he would need to learn sidering the condition that
the specifics. the Postal Service has been
allowed to get to."q