US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said Tuesday the Postal Service will suspend recent decisions to close mail processing facilities, remove mail processing equipment and take out mailboxes until after the general election.
DeJoy’s announcement came after a nationwide outcry about the possible impact on the election and announcements by more than 20 states of a potential lawsuit against the Postal Service.
USPS regional spokesperson Mark Inglett did not confirm to KVOE News whether the Postal Service has removed any processing machines in Emporia or other places in Kansas, but he did confirm to the Kansas City Star that some machines in larger cities had indeed been removed. Inglett tells KVOE News the Postal Service “has ample room in our network for any volume of political and election mail.” Inglett also says the Postal Service is working with local election officials to have a smooth general election and is “confident in our readiness.”
Lyon County Clerk Tammy Vopat said the situation pointed out the fact voters need to get mail ballots returned as soon as possible. The Election Office sent out nearly 3,800 applications for the primary election earlier this month. Almost 3,100, or 82 percent, were voted and returned. Both numbers were records for Lyon County.
