Postmaster General Says That He’ll Pause Any Changes ‘Until After the Election’

After lawmakers expressed concern that changes to the United States Postal Service could potentially hinder mail-in election ballots, the Postmaster General Louis DeJoy issued a statement announcing that they will be pausing any changes until after the election occurs in November.

“I came to the Postal Service to make changes to secure the success of this organization and its long-term sustainability. I believe significant reforms are essential to that objective, and work toward those reforms will commence after the election,” DeJoy said in the statement.

“In the meantime, there are some longstanding operational initiatives — efforts that predate my arrival at the Postal Service — that have been raised as areas of concern as the nation prepares to hold an election in the midst of a devastating pandemic,” he continued. “To avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail, I am suspending these initiatives until after the election is concluded.”

In the statement, DeJoy also assures Americans that the number one priority at the agency is to “deliver the nation’s election mail on time and within our well-established service standards,” so there’s no need to worry.

“The Postal Service is ready today to handle whatever volume of election mail it receives this fall,” he stated. “Even with the challenges of keeping our employees and customers safe and healthy as they operate amid a pandemic, we will deliver the nation’s election mail on time and within our well-established service standards.”

In order to keep his promise, DeJoy mentioned that the agency will be adding “standby resources” effective October 1 to “satisfy any unforeseen demand.” Additionally, a task force on election mail would also be expanded.

You can read DeJoy’s entire statement here.

What are your thoughts on mail-in election ballots? Do you think the mail service can handle this level of important mail?