US Postal Service Whistleblower Raises Concerns Over Unprepared Technology for Mail-In Voting

A recent whistleblower report suggests that the US Postal Service (USPS) could disrupt the upcoming midterm elections by hastily deploying untested technology. This move aligns with efforts led by President Trump to limit mail-in voting.

Mail-in voting for the midterms is about to begin, yet key aspects of USPS’s plan have been stalled by a court order. This plan is part of a broader legal challenge against an executive order by Trump.

USPS has been preparing to introduce an online portal. This system would allow state election officials to submit absentee voters’ names and ballot envelope barcodes. Yet, according to a whistleblower’s disclosure, the portal’s testing has been inadequate.

The anonymous whistleblower, represented by Whistleblower Aid, has direct insight into USPS’s new system development. The disclosure, submitted by Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, claims USPS leadership has ignored best practices to meet a September 1 launch date. This rush might result in a system failure.

If the courts permit USPS to proceed with Trump’s directive for the midterms, the online portal’s issues could prevent eligible absentee voters from receiving ballots timely or at all. A significant obstacle lies in USPS’s “zero-percent failure policy” for ballot verification. This policy could delay thousands of ballots as states struggle to meet verification standards.

USPS spokespeople have not addressed the whistleblower’s claims. In a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner, Senator Blumenthal urged halting the current plan to safeguard Americans’ voting rights.

Senator Blumenthal described the disclosure details as “mind-boggling,” emphasizing that the USPS system appears designed to fail.

While Trump has voted by mail himself, he claims the directives aim to prevent illegal voting by non-citizens. However, studies show such illegal voting is rare.

Recently, a federal judge in Boston issued a temporary restraining order against USPS. The judge ruled that USPS lacks the authority to regulate mail-in voting, branding its plan for Trump’s order likely illegal. The Trump administration is appealing, hinting at a possible Supreme Court review. More court decisions regarding Trump’s order are expected as officials manage the ongoing legal challenges.

Editor’s note: USPS is a financial supporter of NPR.

Edited by Megan Pratz