Current:Home > BackUS lawmakers’ concerns about mail ballots are fueled by other issues with mail service-InfoLens
US lawmakers’ concerns about mail ballots are fueled by other issues with mail service
View Date:2024-12-23 16:09:14
Lawmakers said during a contentious congressional hearing Thursday they are uneasy about the U.S. Postal Service’s readiness for a crush of mail ballots for the November election because some of them feel burned by other Postal Service actions.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy sought to reassure a House Appropriations subcommittee that the Postal Service is well-positioned for an extraordinary effort to deliver mail ballots to election officials on time to be counted and that close to 100% will make it promptly. In recent weeks, DeJoy has pushed back on suggestions from state and local election officials that the Postal Service has not addressed problems that led to mail ballots arriving too late or without postmarks.
But as subcommittee members asked DeJoy about how the Postal Service has addressed election officials concerns, they criticized a larger, longer-term plan to make the mail delivery system more efficient and less costly by consolidating mail processing centers, suggesting it could slow mail delivery, particularly in rural areas. DeJoy disputed that.
DeJoy has said repeatedly that the Postal Service’s larger plans won’t affect the handling of potentially tens of millions of mail ballots for the Nov. 5 election because the plan is on hold for October and the first half of November. But subcommittee Chair David Joyce, an Ohio Republican, told him in opening the hearing that broader problems with mail delivery are on constituents’ minds as the presidential election approaches.
“Many of our constituents have expressed concerns about the Postal Service’s ability to deliver election ballots securely and on time,” Joyce said. ”It is imperative that the Postal Service get this right.”
DeJoy told the lawmakers that the Postal Service’s 650,000 employees will be sifting through 300 million pieces of mail to capture stray ballots and ensure they arrive on time. He said the Postal Service has improved its training.
“We’re doing very well at this — just not perfect,” he said.
veryGood! (4)
Related
- ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ review: Darren Criss shines in one of the best musicals in years
- 2 more endangered ferrets cloned from animal frozen in the 1980s: Science takes time
- Suspect in fire outside of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Vermont office to remain detained, judge says
- 4 travel tips to put your mind at ease during your next trip
- Two 'incredibly rare' sea serpents seen in Southern California waters months apart
- Olivia Munn Shares How Her Double Mastectomy Journey Impacted Son Malcolm
- Rap artist GloRilla has been charged with drunken driving in Georgia
- Travis Barker Proves Baby Rocky Is Growing Fast in Rare Photos With Kourtney Kardashian
- 'Yellowstone' premiere: Record ratings, Rip's ride and Billy Klapper's tribute
- Amazon Prime's 'Fallout': One thing I wish they'd done differently
Ranking
- The ancient practice of tai chi is more popular than ever. Why?
- 2 more endangered ferrets cloned from animal frozen in the 1980s: Science takes time
- Alabama lawmakers advance bill to strengthen state’s weak open records law
- Tattoo regret? PetSmart might pay to cover it up with your pet's portrait. Here's how.
- 2025 Medicare Part B premium increase outpaces both Social Security COLA and inflation
- Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
- Florida will open schools to volunteer chaplains
- Musicians pay tribute to Allman Brothers guitarist Dickey Betts after death at 80
Recommendation
-
Jerry Jones lashes out at question about sun's glare at AT&T Stadium after Cowboys' loss
-
Jawbone of U.S. Marine killed in 1951 found in boy's rock collection, experts say
-
District attorney says Memphis police officer may have been killed by friendly fire
-
Rihanna Transforms Into Blonde Bombshell With New Hair Look
-
Denver district attorney is investigating the leak of voting passwords in Colorado
-
At least 135 dead in Pakistan and Afghanistan as flooding continues to slam region
-
24 Affordable Bridesmaids Gifts They'll Actually Use
-
Police arrest protesters at Columbia University who had set up pro-Palestinian encampment