Voters must use First-Class Mail or an expedited level of service to return their completed ballots. Mail must understand their local jurisdiction’s requirements for timely submission of absentee ballots, including postmarking requirements.
Customers who opt to vote through the U.S. As part of these outreach efforts, we will discuss our delivery processes and will consult with election officials about how they can design their mailings in a manner that comports with postal regulations, improves mailpiece visibility, and ensures efficient and cost-effective processing and delivery. As we anticipate that many voters may choose to use the mail to participate in the upcoming elections due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are conducting and will continue to proactively conduct outreach with state and local election officials and Secretaries of State so that they can make informed decisions and educate the public about what they can expect when using the mail to vote. This includes close coordination and partnerships with election officials at the local and state levels. We employ a robust and proven process to ensure proper handling of all Election Mail, including ballots. The Postal Service is committed to delivering Election Mail in a timely manner. We offer a powerful, national communications channel which enables candidates and interest groups to directly reach every home and business for the purpose of informing the public about the issues and policies at stake when they vote. We provide election officials who are mindful of our operational standards with a secure, efficient and effective means to enable citizens to participate in elections. Stay tuned next week to find out if our ballots made it in timeįULL STATEMENT FROM USPS SPOKESPERSON: The United States Postal Service is committed to fulfilling our role in the electoral process when public policy makers choose to utilize us as a part of their election system. the day after election day (exceptions include military and overseas voters).ĬBS Austin has mailed dozens of ballots, similar in size and weight to Travis County mail-in ballots to test delivery times. In Travis County, ballots are counted if they are postmarked by election day and received no later than 5 p.m. The Postal Service has ample capacity to adjust our nationwide processing and delivery network to meet projected Election and Political Mail volume, including any additional volume that may result as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic."Ĭurrently the USPS recommends voters place their ballot in the mail one week before election day, using first class postage. When asked if he thinks the USPS can handle the influx of ballot deliveries this November, he said it will depend on funding and preparation.Ī spokesperson sent CBS Austin the following statement regarding concerns over delivery delays, saying in part: "Further, the Postal Service’s financial condition is not going to impact our ability to process and deliver election and political mail. Suri says there’s a perception that more Democrats will utilize vote by mail, but there’s been little to no evidence of that. “I think the Trump administration is trying to discourage people to vote by mail and one way to do that is to make it harder for them to use the postal service to vote by mail,” says Jeremi Suri, Professor of History and Public Affairs at UT. He’s also opposed much needed funding for the USPS-sparking new policy changes that have led to delayed mail delivery across the country. RELATED: USPS warns Texas that some mail-in ballots may be delayed in November
However, in recent weeks, President Donald Trump has ramped up criticism of vote-by-mail, claiming-without evidence-that it leads to voter fraud in some states. “I think there are a lot more people who qualify for a ballot by mail because they’re sick, disabled and over 65 and I think all those categories are going to try to vote by mail,” says DeBeauvoir. The USPS is expected to deliver a record number of mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic.Īccording to Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir, an estimated 100,000 people will vote by mail in Travis County this November.
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