U.S. Rep Ken Calvert (CA-41) said it is “imperative” that the U.S. Postal Service meets the needs of American voters by ensuring all mail-in ballots are delivered on time. This statement was made in a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on May 6 after more than 100 ballots were not counted for California’s March Primary Election due to USPS mailing delays.
"Elections are the lifeblood of our democracy and it is imperative that the USPS meet the modern electoral needs of the American public," said Calvert, California congressman.
According to Press Enterprise, USPS took more than seven days to deliver 104 mail-in ballots that were posted on or before the March 5 election deadline, including 31 from Riverside County. Per the California law requiring all ballots be received by election officials within one week after Election Day, those votes, though sent on time, were not counted toward the election.
According to Calvert, mail-in ballots are one of the most essential pieces of mail carried by USPS. “The fact that these voters were denied their ability to exercise their constitutional duty due to flaws in the mail-in ballot system is shocking,” he said in the letter. “In American elections, it’s not hyperbole to say every vote matters — it’s a fundamental component of our democracy.”
In the letter, Calvert called out the postal service for failing to perform the “critical duty” of keeping up with the number of ballots sent by mail and questioned Postmaster DeJoy about the effort of USPS to adapt to the increase of mail-in voters and their plans to improve the process for the 2024 General Election. "Americans must have confidence that the USPS is up to the task of supporting our democracy,” he said.
According to Press Enterprise, Robert Tyler, of the Murrieta-based law firm Advocates for Faith & Freedom, among others, is also questioning the reliability of the postal service. “While this amount may not make any difference in the election results, it certainly makes a difference to the integrity of the process,” he said.
Ken Calvert has served in the House of Representatives since 1992, representing the 41st Congressional District of Southern California. He is on the House Appropriations Committee and the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, and acts as Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, according to his website.