The U.S. Postal Service is partnering with the leaders of the four major postal unions on a joint task force to ensure that every voter can have their ballot counted through mail-in voting in the upcoming election, USPS announced in a video on its website.
Why it matters: The commitment follows concerns that the USPS will not be able to handle the expected increase in the volume of mail-in ballots driven by the pandemic. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a longtime Republican fundraiser, has faced scrutiny from Democrats amid President Trump's attacks on mail-in voting.
Details: The task force will "enhance our work with election officials and jurisdictions throughout the country" while also working to address issues related to voter education and best practices for mail-in voting, DeJoy says in the video. It will also work to "maintain the trust of the American public," DeJoy adds.
Members of the task force include:
- Fred Rolando of the National Association of Letter Carriers
- Ronnie Stutts of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association
- Mark Dimondstein of the American Postal Workers Union
- Paul Hogrogian of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union
What they're saying: The partnership is a "statement of unity and commitment" to delivering election mail on time, a USPS official told Axios.
- "The point is that the organization really is united by the civic duty and vital role of delivering election mail, which is true every year."
