CREW requests USPS records on election planning

Americans need to know that the infrastructure for mail-in and absentee ballots in the upcoming election is sound and that the USPS is addressing any outstanding issues in the implementation of these voting methods.

On September 11, 2024, a group of state associations including the National Association of State Election Directors and the National Association of Secretaries of State sent a letter to the USPS Postmaster General about their concerns about postal service efficacy in the coming election. The USPS Office of the Inspector General also issued ten recommendations to the USPS, which implemented eight and disputed two. According to the senders, the USPS had failed to launch a concerted effort at resolving the expressed issues "[d]espite repeated engagement[.]"

CREW requested records on any and all briefing materials created by USPS employees on the implementation of the recommendations included in the Inspector General Election Mail Readiness for the 2024 General Election report. CREW also requested records on any communications regarding a joint letter sent by the National Association of State Election Directors.

In 2022, around 50%of all votes were delivered by mail or through absentee ballots, underscoring the importance of access to these methods of voting. The USPS should be responsive to public concerns over its ability to effectively perform its duties to bolster confidence ahead of the 2024 election.