U.S. Postal Workers Union Advocates for Mail-In Voting Amid Political Controversy

The American Postal Workers Union (APWU), representing 200,000 members, has initiated a national television advertising campaign promoting mail-in voting. This campaign, which began airing in Ohio, features diverse voters explaining their reasons for voting by mail. The ad concludes with the message: "Vote by mail — keep it, protect it, expand it." The campaign's launch comes in the context of heightened skepticism towards mail-in ballots, particularly from President Donald Trump, who recently signed an executive order aimed at regulating absentee voting.

The Independent

President Trump's executive order seeks to establish a nationwide list of verified eligible voters and restrict postal workers from sending absentee ballots to individuals not on state-approved rosters. This order has faced immediate backlash, including lawsuits from various groups, such as the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, which argues that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) should not be tasked with determining voter eligibility. The union warns that such measures could undermine public confidence in both the electoral process and the mail system.

The Independent

Jonathan Smith, president of the APWU, clarified that the ad campaign was produced prior to Trump's executive order and is not a direct response to it. He emphasized the union's commitment to facilitating mail delivery rather than verifying voter eligibility, stating, "It is our job to move mail from one destination to the next." Smith expressed concerns about the implications of requiring postal workers to verify who should receive absentee ballots, asserting, "We do not want to be politicized."

The Independent

President Trump has publicly criticized mail-in voting, labeling it a source of potential fraud, despite having voted by mail himself recently. His administration's stance has contributed to a decline in support for mail voting among Republicans, even though it has been a longstanding practice in the U.S. A report from the Brookings Institution indicates that instances of mail voting fraud are exceedingly rare, occurring in approximately four cases out of every 10 million mail ballots cast.

The Independent

The APWU's campaign aims to educate the public on the safety and efficiency of mail-in voting, countering the narrative that it is fraught with fraud. Smith stated, "Our message is to America: Vote by mail is efficient, it’s safe, and it’s successful. Period." This initiative reflects a broader struggle over voting rights and the integrity of the electoral process in the United States.

The Independent

While the APWU advocates for mail-in voting, Trump's executive order and its implications are facing legal challenges from various groups, including Democrats who argue that election rules should be established by states and Congress, not the president. The ongoing debate highlights a significant divide in public opinion regarding mail-in voting and its role in the upcoming elections.

The Independent

• “It is our position that it is not the job of the postal workers to verify voter eligibility,” — Jonathan Smith, President, American Postal Workers Union

The Independent

• “Our message is to America: Vote by mail is efficient, it’s safe, and it’s successful.” — Jonathan Smith, President, American Postal Workers Union

The Independent