As Election Day 2020 drew near, alterations within the United States Postal Service (USPS) sparked controversy, raising concerns among lawmakers and citizens alike about the removal of official USPS mailboxes, high-speed mail sorting machines taken out of service, and reduced hours for postal workers across the country, prompting accusations of political maneuvering and threats to the integrity of the electoral process.
The then-new postmaster general and proven Deep State actor, Louis DeJoy, defended the changes as necessary to enhance efficiency and financial stability within the USPS. However, critics, particularly Democrats, argued that the alterations represent an attempt by then-President Donald Trump to hinder mail-in voting, a method increasingly favored politicians amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The USPS’s warning to states regarding potential delays in mail-in voting intensified scrutiny of the agency’s operations. Thomas Marshall, USPS general counsel, cautioned state officials about the incompatibility between state election deadlines and USPS delivery standards, raising concerns about timely delivery of mail-in ballots.
Trump’s opposition to additional funding for the USPS, coupled with his concerns about mail-in voting facilitating voter fraud, fueled accusations of voter suppression. Democrats in Congress pushed for $25 billion in additional funding for the USPS as part of the coronavirus relief package, yet bipartisan cooperation remained elusive.
In response, the USPS announced a halt to mailbox removals in some states until after the election. Additionally, plans to remove high-volume mail processing machines have drawn scrutiny, with USPS defending the changes as routine business adjustments aimed at retiring outdated equipment.
DeJoy came under particular scrutiny after implementing operational changes without consultation with Congress. Shortly afterward, efforts got underway to address the controversy, with a plan to introduce legislation to reverse operational changes.
Meanwhile, USPS employees seen hauling away mailboxes on flatbed trucks and sealing convenient drop slots sparked widespread concerns among Oregon residents regarding the presidential election. The removal of the mailboxes, often used for mail-in voting, ignited fears of limited access to crucial postal services when reliance on mail-in voting was the only way one was allowed to vote.
The USPS confirmed the removal of some mailboxes from neighborhoods, citing a need to streamline operations and address declining first-class mail volume because of the ongoing pandemic. A USPS spokesperson explained that removing “duplicate” boxes in areas with multiple collection points is part of efforts to optimize service efficiency.
However, residents in Eugene and Portland voiced concerns about dwindling access to contactless mailing options, with some reporting locked shut outbound mail slots in neighborhood mailboxes. One resident highlighted the impact of these changes, noting the inconvenience faced by communities without individual mailboxes who now struggle to find alternative mailing options.
The developments came amid broader controversies surrounding the USPS, including the appointment of DeJoy, whose implementation of cost-cutting measures, like reducing overtime and holding mail during staffing shortages, fueled concerns about potential delays in the mail-in voting process.
Trump’s remarks regarding emergency funding for the Postal Service have further stoked apprehensions. Trump’s statements suggest a reluctance to allocate necessary funds for the USPS to handle the anticipated surge in mail-in ballots, raising suspicions about his administration’s stance on nationwide mail-in voting.
Less than four years later, and just months ahead of the 2024 Presidential elections, the USPS is gearing up for significant upgrades to its operation at the Reno Processing and Distribution Center, again stating it is for efficiency and service quality. Among the proposed changes, the USPS intends to repurpose the Reno facility from its current role as a Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) to a Local Processing Center (LPC).
The proposed upgrades include an investment ranging between $12 million and $14 million into the Reno local processing center for modernizing its infrastructure and operations. The restructuring includes transferring mail processing operations to the Sacramento post office.
Washoe County leaders took a stand against the USPS’ controversial proposal, which could disrupt mail delivery throughout northern Nevada. During a recent county commission meeting, officials unanimously passed a letter of opposition while engaging with Nevada representative Mark Amodei to explore federal intervention.
So far, Amodei has not released a statement on the situation.
At the heart is the fear that essential mail items, like medications, mail-in ballots, bills, and government documents, could be delayed because of unpredictable factors like inclement weather and road closures.
Washoe County leaders underscored the severity of the issue by highlighting regional statistics, focusing on the frequent closure of Interstate 80 during winter months in the Sierra. Last winter, I-80 experienced complete closures in both directions on 15 occasions, with chain controls in effect for approximately 900 hours. Such disruptions could potentially lead to multi-day delays in mail service.
Moreover, the looming specter of the 2024 Presidential Election amplifies anxieties among local leaders, given that nearly 150,000 northern Nevada residents utilized mail-in ballots during the previous election cycle. Any disruption in mail service could undermine the integrity of future electoral processes, further underscoring the gravity of the situation.
While the USPS asserts that the proposed changes are primarily motivated by cost-saving measures, estimated to yield annual savings of at least $3 million through transportation and maintenance efficiencies, Washoe County leaders remain steadfast in their opposition, prioritizing reliable and timely mail delivery services for their constituents.
And finally, a bit of commentary as Nevada gears up for the 2024 election cycle and about a lack of integrity in the electoral process now amplified by a perfect storm of willful incompetence epitomized by Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar’s leadership.
Aguilar’s recent plea to lawmakers to combat misinformation and conspiracy theories rings hollow against the USPS’s controversial decision to shift local mail sorting operations from Reno to Sacramento. The USPS’s move is a recipe for disaster, as it jeopardizes the timely delivery of mail-in ballots between Nevada and California.
Yet, while Northern Nevada voters face the looming threat of mail delays due to inclement weather, Aguilar remains conspicuously silent, failing to address the real challenges posed by the USPS’s decision. Aguilar’s belated concern over misinformation and conspiracy theories comes in the face of a tangible threat to the electoral process.
The decision to centralize mail sorting operations in Sacramento, without accounting for the logistical hurdles presented by adverse weather conditions, reflects a stunning disregard for the democratic rights of Nevada voters. Moreover, Aguilar’s track record of mishaps, including the recent technical error exposing voters to incorrect voting history information, shows his office’s incompetence in safeguarding the integrity of elections.
In light of the USPS controversy, Aguilar’s leadership, or lack thereof, has come under renewed scrutiny, pointing to his indifference toward Nevada voters.
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