Postal Service Failed to Properly Handle Some Primary Election Ballots, Audit Finds

Key Points:

• A U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General audit revealed failures in handling mail ballots during the 2024 primary elections, including inadequate staff training, tracking deficiencies, and errors causing delays and incorrect postmarks.
• Despite these issues, nearly 99% of ballots reached election officials on time, though the audit highlighted widespread procedural gaps that risk election mail mishandling and called for improved policy enforcement.
• The findings raise concerns about USPS's ability to implement new mail voting regulations proposed under a Trump executive order, which the Supreme Court is currently reviewing, with experts warning the agency is unprepared for expanded election mail responsibilities.
• Postal workers and election officials have expressed doubts about the feasibility of the new rules before the November election, citing the Postal Service's inconsistent handling of election mail and the potential disenfranchisement of voters.
• The Postal Service acknowledged some isolated errors but defended overall ballot mail performance and agreed to most audit recommendations, except for promptly notifying customers affected by new transportation plans.