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Southland legislators gather in defense of mail-in ballots

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Democratic Southland legislators gathered at postal facilities across the area this week to decry what they allege is a concerted effort by the Trump Administration to scuttle post office operations ahead of an election expected to rely heavily on mail-in ballots.

Democratic leaders across the country have been lashing out about what they call apparent slowdowns in mail delivery due to operational changes implemented by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. The Democrat-controlled House is expected to approve a $25 billion spending package for the postal service this weekend in an effort to approve operations.

“We’re going to pass a bill on Saturday to give the Post Office the $25 billion it needs for operational expenses, but also to provide guard rails to the post office and postmaster general in order to revert of a lot of the changes that were done,” Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-34) said at a Downtown LA postal facility. “That means putting back the sorting equipment, putting back the boxes, putting back what was already done and approving the overtime.”

DeJoy on Tuesday issued a statement saying he was suspending operational changes until after the November election “to avoid even the appearance of any impact” on the handling of mail-in ballots.

“The Postal Service is ready today to handle whatever volume of election mail it receives this fall,” DeJoy said in a statement. “Even with the challenges of keeping our employees and customers safe and healthy as they operate amid a pandemic, we will deliver the nation’s election mail on time and within our well-established service standards. The American public should know that this is our number one priority between now and election day. The 630,000 dedicated women and men of the Postal Service are committed, ready and proud to meet this sacred duty.”

DeJoy, a major Trump donor, has been criticized for cuts at the agency, including the removal of some sorting machines and collection boxes. The moves came amid continued criticism by Trump about mail-in balloting, which he contends will lead to widespread election fraud. DeJoy insisted in his statement that some cuts at the agency pre-dated his arrival at the post office.

Southland legislators, at a series of events at various postal facilities on Tuesday, lashed out against cuts that have already been made, while expressing skepticism about DeJoy’s assurances.

“Vote-by-mail has become a very important part of our democracy, so we have to make sure that given all the election challenges that we have, we have to make sure the post office is up and running and is able to deliver on democracy on time,” Rep. Lou Correa (D-46), said.

Following DeJoy’s announcement, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-40) continued to express concern.

“In spite of the postmaster general’s commitments that he will support USPS operations, we must make sure he takes EVERY possible action to ensure USPS operates at full strength and delivers mail swiftly now and in the future. Our health, our finances and our democracy are at stake.”

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