Democrats write concerned letter over Trump’s attack on mail voting
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Welcome to a Thursday night edition of Progress Report.
In last night’s newsletter, I sought to spotlight some of the ways that the Trump administration was working to undermine the upcoming midterm elections. In an interview published today by Reuters, Trump did away with bureaucratic pretense and silent sabotage and simply announced to the world that he thinks the country should outright cancel the November elections.
The White House later said that Trump was just joking about wanting to see the midterms canceled, but this was hardly the first time that the president openly mused about axing American democracy. He’s not smart enough to be subtle, and it’s clear that he’d love nothing more than to ignore the public will and make the leap to permanent autocrat, like so many of his strongmen friends on the world stage.
Trump is testing the limits of his functional dictatorial powers in Minneapolis, where thousands of law enforcement and paramilitary troops, many ill-trained and barely literate, are assaulting anyone and everyone with impunity. If you’re interested in helping people on the ground in the Twin Cities, here is a long list of grassroots funds to which you can contribute. There’s a cross-section of causes, from mutual aid and medical care for victims to cameras for legal observers and shelter for immigrants. (The ACLU is now suing the government over rampant racial profiling, which is good, but they probably don’t need your money.)
Tonight’s a quick newsletter, with an update on last night’s email.
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A group of Democratic senators sent a letter to the US Postal Service on Thursday, expressing concern about mail processing changes that could dramatically impact the upcoming midterm elections.
In December, USPS finalized a new policy that shifts postmark dates to indicate when a piece of mail is first handled in a processing center, not when it’s first received by the postal service. The senators, writing to Postmaster General David Steiner, noted that reduced mail pick-up and a consolidation of regional processing centers could lead to mail-in ballots receiving incorrect postmarks that result in their improper disqualification. The concern was explored in detail in last night’s edition of Progress Report.
“Postmarks delays are especially problematic in states that vote entirely or largely by mail,” the letter reads. “Rural areas across the country will be especially impacted as experts estimate at least a one-day delay in postmark and mail delivery in rural areas. In theory, a rural voter could submit their ballot in time according to their state law, but due to the changes you are implementing, their legally-cast ballot would not be counted as it sits in a local post office. As we enter a year with many local and federal elections, the risk of disrupting this vital democratic process demands your attention and action.”
Around 30% of all ballots cast by mail during the 2024 election, and eight states, including Washington DC, conduct elections entirely by mail. Sixteen states count ballots that are received for some period after the polls close, so long as they are postmarked by Election Day. The senators’ letter argues that the USPS policy will “increase the likelihood of voter disenfranchisement” and “discourage mail voting.”
The letter also flags concerns about delays to “prescription deliveries, bill payments, and other essential communications,” as well as the possibility of “late fees, application denials, overdue notices” and other complications for both individuals and small businesses.
Requested remedies include USPS leadership restoring the previous postmarking policy and working with the agency’s union to ensure that there are enough resources available to handle the fall election season.
Here’s the whole letter:
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I want everyone who reads my response to know, that the firing of postal workers, and slowing down of the post office is already affecting thousands of people and businesses all over the United States. I mailed a couple of bills from my post office on December 23rd, and one of my checks arrived at its destination on January 18th. The other check is still out there somewhere.