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Senators Warn USPS Changes Could Impact Election Ballots

1/17/2026

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Senators Warn USPS Changes

A group of Democratic U.S. senators expressed concern that U.S. Postal Service (USPS) changes could affect mail-in ballot postmarks during an election year.
They warned new policies could delay postmarks and disenfranchise rural voters.
The U.S. Postal Service said it is not changing postmarking practices, but transportation adjustments may create discrepancies between mailing and postmark dates, and it is phasing out drivers with non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses following a reversal.

Right

Johnson Demands USPS Reform

Residents of South Dakota are frustrated by U.S. Postal Service delays in rural areas.
At a January 16 roundtable, Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) highlighted mail delays and penalties, including a $500 IRS penalty.
Johnson criticized USPS leadership as stemming from high-level decisions rather than local carriers.
He urged Postmaster General David Steiner to improve by July 2026 or face resignation calls.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. Postal Service was established as an independent agency on July 1, 1971, following the Postal Reorganization Act signed by President Nixon in 1970. This transformation aimed to enhance efficiency, yet rural areas still faced service challenges, impacting 25% of Americans. Ongoing concerns about mail-in ballot reliability echo historical frustrations, highlighting the need for improved postal leadership to ensure voter access and accountability.

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Senators Warn USPS Changes

A group of Democratic U.S. senators expressed concern that U.S. Postal Service (USPS) changes could affect mail-in ballot postmarks during an election year.
They warned new policies could delay postmarks and disenfranchise rural voters.
The U.S. Postal Service said it is not changing postmarking practices, but transportation adjustments may create discrepancies between mailing and postmark dates, and it is phasing out drivers with non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses following a reversal.

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