USPS authorizes 'extraordinary measures' for mail-in votes ahead of General Election

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The USPS says it will be taking action later this month to ensure vital mail gets to where it needs to be amid ongoing criticism from Kansas' top election official.

27 News reached out to the USPS following the release of a new letter from Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab criticizing the postal service over the alleged mishandling of mail-in ballots during the state's Primary Election in August. The USPS responded to Schwab's initial complaints in September but the secretary of state is continuing to call upon the service to make corrections ahead of the General Election on Nov. 5.

USPS spokesman, Mark Inglett, told 27 News on Sept. 30 in a written response that local postal management has been cleared to use "extraordinary measures" starting on Oct. 21 for election day. This includes accelerated delivery of ballot mail to its destination. Other measures that will be used include the following:

• Post offices can establish a dedicated line for ballot postmarks and drive-through ballot drop options. These will be staffed through election day.
• The USPS will make additional deliveries and collections to ensure timely delivery of ballots. Early collections will be run on Nov. 2, 4 and 5 with special runs to Boards of Elections on those days and the last day that Boards of Elections will accept ballots as timely in states that accept ballot mail after election day.
• Postmasters will arrange after-hours handoffs with Boards of Elections and use the Express Mail network for completed ballots entered close to election day. Misprinted ballots will be redirected.
• Local carriers will check the mailboxes of every home for outgoing mail starting Oct. 21.
• Facilities will use special sort plans to "hold out" ballot mail early in the process to expedite delivery to Boards of Election. Ballots for non-local destinations will be expedited using Priority Mail Express if needed.

"In 2024, just as we have in previous elections, we will deploy longstanding processes and procedures, as well as allocating additional resources, including, but not limited to, expanded processing procedures, extra transportation, extra delivery and collection trips, and overtime, to ensure that Election Mail reaches its intended destination in a timely manner," Inglett said.

USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy recently testified before Congress on Sept. 26 about preparations ahead of the election. In-person voting is already underway in states like Minnesota, South Dakota and Virginia. The first day for advance voting in Kansas is Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Inglett said the USPS is working to respond directly to Schwab's new letter and is continuing to work closely with his office and other state election officials to respond to their concerns, including the policy on postmarks. Schwab's initial letter to the USPS in September focused on the alleged mishandling of 1,000 ballots cast in the Primary Election which were not postmarked properly or received late by election officials.

The USPS has a long-standing policy to ensure each return ballot mailed by voters receives a postmark whether it is mailed with postage pre-paid by election officials or with a stamp. Voters can make sure a postmark is applied to a return ballot by visiting a USPS retail office and requesting a postmark from a staff member when dropping off the ballot.

USPS workers have also been told to review the ballot postmarking processes and procedures ahead of election day. Mail that is canceled by the USPS is to make sure the postage cannot be reused with some categories of postage pre-canceled prior to entering the mail-stream.

"For domestic, nonmilitary voters who choose to use the mail to return a completed ballot, our general recommendation continues to be that, as a common-sense measure, you should mail your completed ballot before Election Day, and at least one week before the deadline by which your completed ballot must be received by your local election official," Inglett said. "Some states may recommend allowing even more time for mailing completed ballots. You should always check to make sure you understand your state’s requirements and recommendations on mailing your completed ballot."

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