Fight for voting rights: the USPS’s role in a possible voting crisis

We live in a time of uncertainty. The Covid-19 pandemic turned the world upside down and inconsistency plagues the country. Through these hard times, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has proved its dependability to many.

The USPS has demonstrated its devotion to American families time and time again, for the postal service has become a backbone to many citizens during the pandemic. Those who qualified for IRS relief checks collected them through the USPS. Millions of American households received crucial information from the Center for Disease Control relating to COVID-19 through the mail. 

The USPS has been suffering financially for months before the pandemic. The postal service is days behind on sending out mail and is dealing with unfunded employee benefits.

The Postal Service originally requested $75 billion dollars for COVID-19 relief and accommodations, but later dropped their request to $25 billion dollars, however, the essential funding was denied by President Trump. On top of the lack of funding, the implementation of Louis DeJoy as postmaster general, a well-known Trump campaign donor, has also been a contributor to the cuts in wage and employee overtime, and overall efficiency within the service. 

All of these effects on the United States Postal Service will directly impact a major part of the 2020 election: mail-in ballots.

Mail-in ballots allow many Americans to exercise their right to vote from the safety of their own home, which is crucial due to the COVID-19 pandemic and health concerns regarding it.

President Trump has continued to express his opposition to mail-in ballots and attempted to nullify the practice. Instead of allowing voters to partake in a safe alternative to in-person voting, the Trump Administration’s refusion to fund the USPS is actively taking voting privileges away.

The United States Postal Service is struggling at the time where our country needs them the most.  The absence of the USPS’s role within mail-in ballots undermines the chances of your vote arriving in time for November 3.

To aid the USPS and to ensure your and others votes, fill out the voting ballots early and submit back as soon as possible. Other examples of beneficial support include signing petitions regarding aid for the agency and contacting local representatives to make sure your voice is heard.

To aid the USPS in their time of need might sound like an impossible task for many, but the littlest actions make the biggest impact. The USPS has served the American public for generations, now it’s our time to return the favor for them.