USPS launches ‘Election Mail’ website to answer questions about voting by mail
Do you have questions about voting by mail? The U.S. Postal Service just launched a website to answer them.
On Friday the USPS announced its Election Mail website, which is filled with information about the mail and election process.
“The American public can rely on the United States Postal Service to fulfill our role in the electoral process,” USPS said on the website. “We provide a secure, efficient and effective way for citizens to participate when policymakers decide to use mail as part of their elections. We have a robust and tested process for proper handling and timely delivery of Election Mail.”
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, the Postal Service is expecting an increase in the expansion of mail-in voting options.
“Our national education effort keeps local and state election officials informed about mailing procedures and our operational standards,” USPS said. “We’re also educating the public about how to successfully use the mail.”
Election Mail includes any mailed item to or from election officials that allows U.S. citizens to to vote, USPS said. That can include ballots, voter registration cards, absentee voting applications and polling place notifications.
The U.S. Postal Service has been criticized in recent weeks as President Donald Trump has bashed voting by mail, CNN reported.
“Mail ballots, they cheat,” Trump said at the White House in early August, according to The New York Times. “Mail ballots are very dangerous for this country because of cheaters. They go collect them. They are fraudulent in many cases. They have to vote. They should have voter ID, by the way.”
All forms of voting fraud, however, are extremely rare in the U.S., according to The New York Times. Voting by mail rarely results in fraud, CNN reported.
Democrats have been outraged over sudden changes the USPS made, including cutting overtime and limiting post office hours, CNN reported. Many lawmakers worry the changes could impact the election.
On Friday, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said the USPS has not changed voting-by-mail policies, according to CNN.
