NALC: Cutbacks and closures threaten vote-by-mail
Filed under: NALC, politics, postal, postal news, usps, vote by mail
According to an article in The Hill, lawmakers across the country are growing increasingly concerned that the cutback of delivery standards and closure of processing facilities proposed by the Postal Service could threaten vote-by-mail.
Vote-by-mail is an increasingly popular way for Americans to cast their votes. The Election Assistance Commission estimated that, in the 2010 election, about 18 million voters voted through the mail. Vote-by-mail is an essential option for middle-class Americans because it offers voters the option to cast their votes on their own time. In these tough economic times, too many Americans have to choose between exercising their right to vote and taking precious time from their jobs and families to get to the polls.
Vote-by-mail could be threatened if the plan put out by the Postal Service to change delivery standards for first-class mail and close nearly half of the processing plants across the country is implemented. Under the new delivery standards, first-class delivery would be significantly slowed and overnight delivery of first-class mail would be eliminated. This could significantly change the voting process, forcing officials to mail out ballots earlier and making it harder for voters to return their ballots by Election Day.
Concerned about these changes, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen sent a letter to the Postal Service last week asking the agency to hold off the changes at least until after the general election in November. Bowen said that, in 2011, after three processing centers closed in the state, ballots took up to seven days to arrive at some local election offices. Bowen fears what could happen if the facilities closure plan is implemented because California is slated to lose the largest number of plants—a total of 14. This could significantly affect the ballots sent via mail, which in 2010 totaled nearly 5 million in California.
The concern about the affect on vote-by-mail of these cutbacks and closures also has reached Capitol Hill. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) expressed his concerns in a statement about the effect of closing five processing plants in the Oregon, a state where votes are cast exclusively by mail. “Closing these facilities carries many unintended consequences,” Wyden said. “It is not a risk worth taking.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has introduced S. 1853, which would address both the service standards and the closure of mail-processing facilities. His legislation would prevent the Postal Service from ending one- to three-day delivery standards for first-class mail and would make it much more difficult to close mail-processing facilities across the country. Sanders also sent a letter, signed by 27 of his fellow senators, to postal stakeholders in the Senate, expressing concern about the planned mass closure of mail-processing facilitates. The letter called for any postal legislation to protect current delivery standards for first-class mail.
To read the The Hill article, click here.
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USPS: Vote-by-Mail option the undisputed winner in the election process
Convenience, security and trust in the Postal Service are making a Vote-by-Mail option the undisputed winner in the election process.
In the recent Morgantown, WV, election, the Post Office was entrusted to deliver nearly 17,000 ballots for the city residents and then deliver casted ballots back to the city for tabulation. Postmaster Tommy White worked closely with city representatives to ensure the mail pieces were accepted, sorted and delivered on time.
“My clerks and carriers pitched in and went the extra mile to ensure our part of the process went smoothly,” said White.
The response to the Vote-by-Mail election was historic. More residents voted than in any other election during the past 20 years. The majority of voter feedback was positive with “convenience” noted as the greatest benefit. Morgantown officials are looking to use Vote-by-Mail in their 2013 election.
“There is a real opportunity for the Postal Service to partner with election boards and municipalities to encourage voting by mail,” noted White. “It’s a win-win for the democratic process and our business.”
USPS News Link: VOTE-BY-MAIL THE UNDISPUTED WINNER – IMPROVING VOTER RESPONSE RATE
Senators Introduce Legislation To Expand Vote By Mail
Washington, D.C. – Looking for ways to expand voter participation and reduce the growing cost of elections, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Thomas Carper (D-Del.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced a package of bills today that would make it easier for states to institute the same vote-by-mail process currently used in Oregon. Wyden – who is the first federal official to be elected entirely by mail – also introduced a bill to expand on-line voter registration.
“The Oregon experience has shown that vote-by-mail has been a clear winner with consistently high voter participation, costs that are 30 percent less than elections using traditional polling places and virtually none of the fraud that critics predicted,” said Wyden. “Now it is time to give other states the opportunity to duplicate Oregon’s success and reap the same benefits.”
“I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing these common-sense bills to enhance our democratic process,” said Carper. “This legislation will help remove barriers to voting by making it more convenient for all Americans to cast their vote and have a say in our federal government. Not only will these bills encourage more Americans to participate in elections, they will also save money and provide a much-needed boost to the Postal Service.”
“Oregon has one of the highest voter turnout rates in the country and that’s in large part due to our vote-by-mail system,” said Merkley. “Enhancing absentee voting will assist countless Americans who don’t vote because they can’t make it to the ballot box. I couldn’t be prouder to join Senator Wyden’s effort to streamline the voting process and improve integrity at the ballot box.”
“We need more participation in our democracy, not less,” said Senator Kerry. “Elderly, disabled, and some of the hardest working Americans are often effectively disenfranchised because it’s hard or impossible for them to stand in line waiting at a polling place. This bill breaks down needless barriers, making it easier for all Americans to exercise their fundamental right to a voice and a vote.”
“Vote by mail would help more New Yorkers participate in our democracy,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We know that every American faces some type of obstacle to get to polling places on election day. A vote by mail system provides every citizen with a convenient and secure opportunity to make their voice heard. Voting by mail has been tremendously successful in states around the country, it saves taxpayer money, and it serves the public good.”
Vote-by-mail removes barriers that prevent voters from getting to the polls, while giving them more time to study issues and consider the candidates. The program contains built-in safeguards that increase the integrity of the elections process and does not favor one political party over another.
The bills that make up the vote-by-mail package are:
• The Universal Right to Vote By Mail bill, which would guarantee everyone’s right to cast a ballot by mail. Currently, 28 states and territories impose some restrictions on getting an absentee ballot. This bill would eliminate those restrictions and ensure that any voter who wishes to get a mail ballot is able to do so.
• Vote By Mail grants bill, which would provide grants of $2 million to states or $1 million to smaller jurisdictions that want to institute vote by mail.
On Wednesday, May 5, Wyden and Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown will testify in support of these bills before the Senate Rules Committee.
In 1998, Oregon voters passed a ballot measure directing all elections to be conducted by mail, and Oregonians have voted exclusively by mail since the 2000 election. Instead of using costly and traditional polling places where voters go to cast ballots on election day, a ballot is mailed to each registered voter. The ballot is then returned to the county elections office, the voter’s signature is verified, and the ballot is counted on election day.
According to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office, Oregon has experienced a higher percentage of voter turnout since 1998 than before, and two of the three highest presidential election turnouts in Oregon were in 2004 and 2008.
As part of the package of bills to give voters more control and increase participation in elections, Senator Wyden also introduced a bill to expand on-line voter registration. The bill will provide grants to states that wish to implement an on-line registration system to allow individual voters to register to vote, update voter information, and request an absentee ballot. Oregon, Washington, and Arizona have already adopted such systems.
Postmaster General Discusses ‘Vote By Mail’ at Conference
Potter Provides Keynote Address at Secretaries of State Summer Meeting
Portland, OR — Mail can play an important role in helping citizens chose their elected officials and the U.S. Postal Service has resources officials need to create Vote by Mail programs.
Those were the two main points shared by Postmaster General John E. Potter during a keynote address at the National the Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) summer meeting here. Stressing proven experience, commitment and available resources, Potter said the Postal Service is a ready partner in states’ efforts to reach voters and conduct elections through the mail.
“The Postal Service has a proud history of working with election officials across the country to suggest mailing options, assist with address databases and ensure proper handling of election materials,” Potter said, adding that almost 200,000 ballots were delivered to military installations around the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan, during the 2006 national elections.
“Even in times of war, we have delivered the most fundamental symbol of democracy. A ballot,” Potter said.
Founded in 1904, NASS is the nation’s oldest, nonpartisan, professional organization for state officials. The summer meeting, “A First-Class Experience,” is hosted by Bill Bradbury, Oregon’s Secretary of State. Oregon is the only state in the nation to vote exclusively by mail. Twenty six additional states are considering Vote By Mail initiatives.
The Postal Service plays no role in how elections are carried out in the United States, although it is fully authorized to inform and educate election officials about available USPS products and services.
Those services were put to the test last year when the Postal Service worked closely with the Louisiana Secretary of State and other officials to help locate and deliver election and voting information to tens of thousands of residents displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in time for statewide elections as well as the New Orleans mayoral race.
The Louisiana legislature declared June 2, 2006, “United States Postal Service Day,” recognizing the dedication and commitment Postal Service employees showed after the hurricanes and specifically acknowledging successful efforts in the elections.
“We were honored by the recognition of the work we do every day in cities and towns across the country, but especially thankful for those two resolutions as they acknowledged the partnership we have with the state of Louisiana that we deeply valued,” Potter said.
The resources and expertise shared in Louisiana are available to any elected official across the country through training programs and an Internet-based resource center created by the Postal Service.
The Election Officials’ Mailing Resources website on usps.com provides election officials with quick, easy and convenient access to postal resources, products, services and information designed specifically to address absentee ballot and vote by mail questions and challenges. State and local officials can find information on the website on preparing and sending mail during an election cycle. It offers a step-by-step course of action that includes planning, addressing and designing election mail.
The Postal Service also created 90-minute, customized training sessions for election officials. “Election Mail: tips, Tools and Tactics for Successful Mailing” is presented by postal representatives with a depth of knowledge and understanding of election mail and designed to address specific needs, challenges and laws specific to individual cities and counties across the country. To date, more than 1,500 officials have completed the training.
“The Postal Service recognizes the vital role that mail plays in the American democratic process. We are committed to providing election officials with the information necessary to meet their election mail needs,” Potter said. “We have always been proud of our role in binding a great nation together and we are pleased that we can strength this role by our participation in voting by mail.”
Please Note: For more information about Election Mail and the Postal Service, go to usps.com/electionmail.