Portman, Latta Send Bicameral Letter Urging USPS to Protect Ohioans’ Constitutional Right to Vote

CINCINNATI, OH – Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) joined Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) in sending a letter to Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer Louis DeJoy to request the United States Postal Service (USPS) implement procedures, in coordination with the State of Ohio, to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of election-related materials prior to the November elections.  

In addition to Portman and Latta, the letter was signed by Ohio Congressmen Steve Chabot (R-OH), Brad R. Wenstrup, (R-OH), Bill Johnson (R-OH) Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Mike Turner (R-OH), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Steve Stivers (R-OH), and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH).    

“With the continued uncertainty created by the COVID-19 health crisis and the ongoing national discussions about the performance of the USPS, we urge you to work with Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose to implement procedures to protect Ohioans’ constitutional right to vote,” the members wrote. “These procedures should include: 1) nightly all-clear inspections of mail facilities to ensure all election-related materials are sent out; 2) more processing carried out within Ohio at local Post Offices or Ohio-based mail processing facilities; and 3) local USPS representatives building relationships with county boards of elections and establishing intakes/drop offs for election-related materials.  These suggestions are based on the procedures that were implemented before the Ohio Primary Elections that were held this past spring.” 

The letter can be read below and here.

Dear Postmaster General DeJoy:

Thank you for your leadership of the United States Postal Service (USPS) and for your commitment to maintaining a dialogue with Congress regarding service issues in each of our districts. Today, we write to you to request the USPS implement procedures, in coordination with the State of Ohio, to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of election-related materials prior to the November elections.

Over the past decade, the USPS has implemented plans to consolidate their operations across the State, which has resulted in the closure of several mail processing plants. The consequences of these efforts vary from district to district. For example, in Northwest Ohio, a new system was arranged where mail would be sent to the Michigan Metroplex for processing and sorting, before heading to its destination. Unfortunately, this process has created delays and added time to the delivery of each mail piece. In addition to delivery delays, there was an increase in complaints from constituents about lost or discarded mail, including absentee balloting materials.

With the continued uncertainty created by the COVID-19 health crisis and the ongoing national discussions about the performance of the USPS, we urge you to work with Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose to implement procedures to protect Ohioans’ constitutional right to vote. These procedures should include: 1) nightly all-clear inspections of mail facilities to ensure all election-related materials are sent out; 2) more processing carried out within Ohio at local Post Offices or Ohio-based mail processing facilities; and 3) local USPS representatives building relationships with county boards of elections and establishing intakes/drop offs for election-related materials.  These suggestions are based on the procedures that were implemented before the Ohio Primary Elections that were held this past spring.

We appreciate your full and fair consideration of this request, consistent with applicable statutes and regulations, and look forward to working with you to ensure any issues with the delivery of mail this fall do not impede our constituents’ right to vote. Thank you again for your continued leadership.

 

                                                                                                    Sincerely,

 

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