New Mail Wrinkle: USPS Sending Out Inaccurate Mail Ballot Info, Warns State Official

[riversedge]

Source: huff post



09/12/2020 08:59 am ET

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy refused to let state officials review notices before they went out, says Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold.


The U.S. Postal Service is sending out inaccurate mail ballot information to residents of several states, which could further snarl a system already facing overwhelming demand amid the COVID-19 crisis, Colorado’s secretary of state said Friday.

The USPS is sending postcard notices to addresses and post office boxes of registered voters, urging them to request mail-in ballots early. But several states already have a system in place that automatically sends ballots to all registered voters, noted Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold in a series of tweets. For residents in those states, the “information is not just confusing, it’s WRONG,” she said.

She said that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy ignored requests from secretaries of state to review any notices to ensure their accuracy before they went out.

The notices also tell people to get their ballots back at least seven days before Election Day — while Colorado tells its voters to do so at least eight days in advance. In addition, the USPS urges voters to request a mail-in ballot at least 15 days before Nov. 3, which it terms “early,” but which actually is cutting it close, given mounting delays in mail service.

Griswold called the latest tangle “beyond suspect,” adding: “Confusing voters about mail ballots in the middle of a pandemic is unacceptable. It can undermine confidence in the election & suppress votes.”......................................

Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/louis-dejoy-usps-mail-balloe-jena-griswold-colorado_n_5f5c65afc5b6b4850800c8a1?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004

[jorgevlorgan]

1. It isn't a big deal, honestly

If you don't need to request one and you inquire about requesting one in a state like California, they'll let you know everybody is getting one. The poorly drafted mailer isn't going to suppress votes, but only momentarily confuse people. Also the mailer does a good thing in accurately informing you to get your mail ballot back in early, and assuring the USPS willget it safely to the destination.

[Bengus81]

7. Agree...I got one just today in Kansas but have been on the mail in list for months

Voted in the August 4th Primary, probably mailed our ballots in about mid-July. Should be getting the general ballot by the end of Sept.

[sl8]

2. Postcard (image):

[katmondoo]

6. I got this today. Made me feel better about mailing in my ballot.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. I got one of those.

It states very clearly that rules and dates vary by state, so I seriously doubt many people will be misled by the post card.

[Igel]

11. Sounds more like they're going to be mislead

by the media.

That happened in Houston. More people were disenfranchised by the media's telling them there was no way they'd have the right ID to vote than actually lacked the idea. Thousands of people didn't vote when they had the required ID in their wallet (or wherever else they keep such things when out and about). That was the kind of news that barely made it into the media. Media don't like reporting that their advocacy in dissing (R) disenfranchised (D).

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

17. Excellent point.

I will add this. I did not vote the first time I was eligible, because I felt overwhelmed by the need to register, and figure out what was involved with that. And if I, a reasonably well educated white person, was overwhelmed, what must it be like for persons of color, persons not well educated?

We make it terribly difficult in this country to vote. Is that how other countries do it? I would love to know.

I will tell this story: On election day in 1976, I was taking some classes at my local community college. My first class of the day, a psych class with a WONDERFUL professor with (as you'll see by the end of this paragraph) a great sense of humor, started the class like this: "I'm sure you are all aware that today is Election Day. You are all old enough to vote, and I hope you are planning to do so. However, I want to tell you this. A low turnout favors Republicans, so if you're a Republican, don't vote."

I almost fell out of my chair laughing. I was the ONLY person in the class who got it, although I was also the only person over 21 or so. I was 28 at the time. The wonderful professor looked at me in gratitude. Wish I could remember his name after all these years.

[onetexan]

4. "It can undermine confidence in the election & suppress votes"

I don't understand why the blatant breaking of state election laws isn't yet resulting in this bastard being thrown into jail.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. It's criminal. . . . nt

[DeminPennswoods]

8. I got one today, too

It's no big deal.

I would like to think voters in Colo who get this mailer already know what the rules for their state are.

[CrispyQ]

9. The goal is to make this the most chaotic, unreliable election ever.

I just want that orange fucker gone so I can finally get my rage under control.

[Kaleva]

10. In MI, one can request an absentee ballot the Friday before an election

The flyer I got from USPS suggests requesting one at least 15 days for an election.

[progressive nobody]

12. We got 1 today--PA

[Kaleva]

13. Mine has some sensible advice.

It suggests to start today (assuming one hasn't already or lives in a state where ballots are sen to all registered voters). It also suggest following the instructions on the ballot and add postage if needed. So many absentee ballots are rejected for the simplists of reasons such as the voter not signing it.

[Mawspam2]

14. Why does the USPS...

...have registered voter information? Is it split into Dem and Pub lists so they know who not to deliver ballots to?

[whistler162]

15. I am 99.9999999% sure

that this was mailed to all household addresses.

[marble falls]

20. The contact isn't troubling, the misinformation is.

[JohnnyRingo]

16. I got one in Ohio yesterday.

I tossed it before checking it for accuracy. I can see how it could confuse voters in some states with different laws.

[colorado_ufo]

18. Jena looks out for Colorado!

Go, Jena, go! Don't let them get away with anything!

[marble falls]

19. If anyone thinks their vote means nothing, they aren't paying attention: why are RWers working ...

so hard to keep us from voting?