Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced that several cost-cutting initiatives designed to streamline operations of the US Postal Service will be shelved until after the upcoming presidential election. This will be done “to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail.”

The announcement came as at least twenty different state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against both the US Postal Service and the current presidential administration. The lawsuits claim that DeJoy’s operational changes have the potential to impede the states’ abilities to hold free and fair elections.

Advocates for mail-in voting have increased in number since the United States experienced a dramatic surge in coronavirus-related deaths as various states and counties have attempted to reopen for business. The concern is that without a robust increase in mail-in voting, the voting turnout will be artificially suppressed because citizens might not be willing to vote in person if it means potential exposure to COVID-19.

In his statement, DeJoy said the US Postal Service is “fully capable of handling the expected surge in mail-in ballots this year, and will do so regardless of any additional funding from Congress.”

Possible Preaching Angle:

Those of us in authority must do everything we can to avoid even the appearance of impropriety and to be effective in serving the community. We must be vigilant to protect the needs of the community

Source:

Lucien Bruggeman, Olivia Rubin, and Libby Cathey, “As states threaten lawsuits, postmaster general suspends mail-handling changes until after election,” ABC News (8-18-20)