Postmaster General Louis DeJoy appeared before the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government on Thursday to address concerns about the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) preparedness for the upcoming presidential election. The hearing focused on whether the USPS can effectively manage the anticipated surge in mail-in ballots.
Lawmakers from both parties raised questions about USPS’s ability to handle the increase in election mail, especially after concerns were voiced by groups like the National Association of State Election Directors. These officials worry that millions of ballots may overwhelm the postal service’s current capacity.
Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) sought clarification on whether USPS has the resources in place to swiftly address any problems that arise. DeJoy admitted that while the Postal Service is a large organization undergoing significant changes, they need to take a more proactive approach. “We need to be more proactive and not wait for issues to come to us,” he said, emphasizing the need to build confidence among voters.
Hinson echoed the concerns of her constituents, stating, “People don’t want excuses, they want assurances their ballots will be delivered on time.” In response, DeJoy reassured the committee that USPS has the capacity and systems to ensure timely delivery of ballots. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) also asked whether voters could trust the postal service to handle their mail-in ballots, to which DeJoy confidently replied, “Absolutely.”
DeJoy highlighted USPS’s long history of delivering election mail, which dates back to 1864. He also pointed to the 2020 election as a successful example, where 99.89% of mail-in ballots were delivered within the recommended seven-day window despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. DeJoy stressed, “The Postal Service is ready to successfully deliver the nation’s mail-in ballots.”
However, some concerns persist. DeJoy acknowledged that election officials may not fully understand the USPS’s extensive efforts to ensure timely ballot delivery. He noted that while addressing specific issues is manageable, general concerns can be more difficult to tackle. DeJoy ended his testimony by reaffirming the Postal Service’s commitment: “The Postal Service is fully prepared to deliver the nation’s mail-in ballots for voters who choose to use us to vote.”
The hearing underscored the critical role USPS will play in the upcoming election, as millions of Americans are expected to vote by mail. With election integrity a top concern for voters, the Postal Service’s ability to deliver ballots on time will be under intense scrutiny.
