Whistleblower warns USPS rushing new system that could jeopardize mail-in ballots

Key Points:

• A Democratic Senator's report cites a Postal Service whistle-blower warning that President Trump's executive order to increase federal control over mail-in voting risks "catastrophic failure," potentially causing millions of voters to not receive ballots timely or at all.
• The new Postal Service rules require verifying voter citizenship and managing ballot acceptance, but the agency lacks the capacity to implement these systems effectively, with the planned digital portal incomplete and operational challenges ongoing.
• The federal government’s increased role in mail-in voting conflicts with constitutional protections that delegate election procedures to states, raising concerns about the Postal Service's ability to handle this expanded responsibility.
• Nearly one-third of Americans voted by mail in the 2024 general election, and the new rules could significantly impact voter participation, especially as mail voting popularity declines from 2020 levels.
• The leadership of the Postal Service, including nominees appointed by President Trump who have expressed skepticism about mail-in voting, holds substantial influence but faces potential instability due to recent Supreme Court rulings allowing presidential removal of agency board members.