Postmaster General Louis DeJoy appeared before a House subcommittee on Thursday to answer questions about the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) preparedness for handling the large volume of mail-in ballots expected in the upcoming presidential election. The hearing, held by the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, was focused on whether USPS can effectively deliver ballots during a critical time.
Concerns about USPS’s ability to manage the anticipated flood of election mail have been raised by election officials and lawmakers alike. The National Association of State Election Directors, among others, has voiced concerns over whether the Postal Service will be able to meet the challenge.
Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) asked DeJoy if USPS has measures in place to address problems with ballot delivery. DeJoy acknowledged that the Postal Service is undergoing significant changes but emphasized the need to be proactive in managing election mail. “We need to engage with election officials and address concerns before they become problems,” he stated.
Hinson expressed her constituents’ concerns, noting, “People don’t want to hear excuses; they want to know their ballots will be delivered on time.” DeJoy responded that USPS is fully prepared to handle the influx of mail-in ballots. Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) asked whether voters can trust USPS with their ballots, to which DeJoy confidently replied, “Absolutely.”
DeJoy highlighted USPS’s long history of delivering election mail, pointing to the 2020 election when the Postal Service successfully delivered 99.89% of ballots within a seven-day window. “We’ve been delivering election mail since the 1860s,” DeJoy said, assuring lawmakers that the Postal Service is prepared for the upcoming election.
Despite this, DeJoy acknowledged that not all election officials fully understand USPS’s role in ensuring timely delivery of ballots. He explained that the Postal Service is working to address specific concerns while also building confidence among voters. DeJoy concluded by reiterating USPS’s commitment, stating, “We are ready to deliver the nation’s mail-in ballots for voters who choose to vote by mail.”
With millions of Americans expected to vote by mail, USPS will play a crucial role in ensuring the election runs smoothly. The hearing highlighted the need for robust systems to manage the surge in election mail.
