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Postal Service: Difference between revisions
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=== Rate increases === | === Rate increases === | ||
Congress has limited rate increases for First-Class Mail to the cost of inflation, unless approved by the [[Postal Regulatory Commission]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Pence|first=Herbert|title=Congress didn't do US Postal Service any favors|url=http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/opinionperspectives/939126-263/congress-didnt-do-us-postal-service-any.html|access-date=March 25, 2012|newspaper=Nashua Telegraph|date=November 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714125220/http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/opinionperspectives/939126-263/congress-didnt-do-us-postal-service-any.html|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=dead }}</ref> A three-cent surcharge above inflation increased the {{convert|1|oz|abbr=on}} rate to 49¢ in January 2014, but this was approved by the commission for two years only.<ref name="usatoday1">{{cite news |first=Bradley |last=Klapper |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/24/usps-stamps-mail-price/4195827/ |title=First-class stamps to cost 49 cents as of Jan. 26 |newspaper= | Congress has limited rate increases for First-Class Mail to the cost of inflation, unless approved by the [[Postal Regulatory Commission]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Pence|first=Herbert|title=Congress didn't do US Postal Service any favors|url=http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/opinionperspectives/939126-263/congress-didnt-do-us-postal-service-any.html|access-date=March 25, 2012|newspaper=Nashua Telegraph|date=November 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714125220/http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/opinionperspectives/939126-263/congress-didnt-do-us-postal-service-any.html|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=dead }}</ref> A three-cent surcharge above inflation increased the {{convert|1|oz|abbr=on}} rate to 49¢ in January 2014, but this was approved by the commission for two years only.<ref name="usatoday1">{{cite news |first=Bradley |last=Klapper |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/24/usps-stamps-mail-price/4195827/ |title=First-class stamps to cost 49 cents as of Jan. 26 |newspaper=USA Today |date=December 24, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812110100/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/24/usps-stamps-mail-price/4195827/ |archive-date=August 12, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> As of July 14th, 2024 the cost of postage increased to 73 cents for first class mail.<ref name="Notice 123">{{cite web |title=Notice 123 {{!}} Postal Explorer |url=https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c037 |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=pe.usps.com}}</ref> | ||
=== Reform proposals and delivery changes === | === Reform proposals and delivery changes === | ||
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DeJoy immediately began taking measures to reduce costs, such as banning overtime and extra trips to deliver mail.<ref>{{cite web|last=Katz|first=Eric|date=July 20, 2020|title=Looking to Cut Costs, New USPS Leader Takes Aim at Overtime and Late Trips|url=https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/07/looking-cut-costs-new-usps-leader-takes-aim-overtime-and-late-trips/166917/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727174300/https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/07/looking-cut-costs-new-usps-leader-takes-aim-overtime-and-late-trips/166917/|archive-date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Government Executive|language=en}}</ref><ref name="NYT_Broadwater_20200815">{{cite news |issn=0362-4331 |last1=Broadwater |first1=Luke |last2=Healy |first2=Jack |last3=Shear |first3=Michael D. |last4=Fuchs |first4=Hailey |title=Postal Crisis Ripples Across Nation as Election Looms |work=The New York Times |access-date=August 15, 2020 |date=August 15, 2020 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/15/us/post-office-vote-by-mail.html |archive-date=August 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816201415/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/15/us/post-office-vote-by-mail.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WaPo_Bogage_20200714">{{cite news |issn=0190-8286 |last=Bogage |first=Jacob |title=Postal Service memos detail 'difficult' changes, including slower mail delivery |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=August 15, 2020 |date=July 14, 2020 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/07/14/postal-service-trump-dejoy-delay-mail/ |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814145955/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/07/14/postal-service-trump-dejoy-delay-mail/ |url-status=live}}</ref> While DeJoy admitted that these measures were causing [[2020 United States Postal Service crisis|delays in mail delivery]], he said they would eventually improve service.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Gardner |first1=Amy|last2=Dawsey|first2=Josh|last3=Kane|first3=Paul|date=August 13, 2020|title=Trump opposes election aid for states and Postal Service bailout, threatening Nov. 3 vote|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-mail-voting/2020/08/13/3eb9ac62-dd70-11ea-809e-b8be57ba616e_story.html?|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816204722/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-mail-voting/2020/08/13/3eb9ac62-dd70-11ea-809e-b8be57ba616e_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | DeJoy immediately began taking measures to reduce costs, such as banning overtime and extra trips to deliver mail.<ref>{{cite web|last=Katz|first=Eric|date=July 20, 2020|title=Looking to Cut Costs, New USPS Leader Takes Aim at Overtime and Late Trips|url=https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/07/looking-cut-costs-new-usps-leader-takes-aim-overtime-and-late-trips/166917/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727174300/https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/07/looking-cut-costs-new-usps-leader-takes-aim-overtime-and-late-trips/166917/|archive-date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Government Executive|language=en}}</ref><ref name="NYT_Broadwater_20200815">{{cite news |issn=0362-4331 |last1=Broadwater |first1=Luke |last2=Healy |first2=Jack |last3=Shear |first3=Michael D. |last4=Fuchs |first4=Hailey |title=Postal Crisis Ripples Across Nation as Election Looms |work=The New York Times |access-date=August 15, 2020 |date=August 15, 2020 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/15/us/post-office-vote-by-mail.html |archive-date=August 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816201415/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/15/us/post-office-vote-by-mail.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WaPo_Bogage_20200714">{{cite news |issn=0190-8286 |last=Bogage |first=Jacob |title=Postal Service memos detail 'difficult' changes, including slower mail delivery |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=August 15, 2020 |date=July 14, 2020 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/07/14/postal-service-trump-dejoy-delay-mail/ |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814145955/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/07/14/postal-service-trump-dejoy-delay-mail/ |url-status=live}}</ref> While DeJoy admitted that these measures were causing [[2020 United States Postal Service crisis|delays in mail delivery]], he said they would eventually improve service.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Gardner |first1=Amy|last2=Dawsey|first2=Josh|last3=Kane|first3=Paul|date=August 13, 2020|title=Trump opposes election aid for states and Postal Service bailout, threatening Nov. 3 vote|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-mail-voting/2020/08/13/3eb9ac62-dd70-11ea-809e-b8be57ba616e_story.html?|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816204722/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-mail-voting/2020/08/13/3eb9ac62-dd70-11ea-809e-b8be57ba616e_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
More than 600 high-speed mail sorting machines were scheduled to be dismantled and removed from postal facilities,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/n7wk9z/the-post-office-is-deactivating-mail-sorting-machines-ahead-of-the-election|title=The Post Office Is Deactivating Mail Sorting Machines Ahead of the Election|last=Gordon|first=Aaron|date=August 13, 2020|work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816131447/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/n7wk9z/the-post-office-is-deactivating-mail-sorting-machines-ahead-of-the-election|url-status=live}}</ref> raising concerns that mailed ballots for the [[2020 United States presidential election|November 3 election]] might not reach election offices on time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/08/13/us-postal-service-whats-going-post-office-what-we-know/3360565001/|title=What's going on with the post office? Here's what we know|last=Behrmann|first=Savannah|date=August 13, 2020|work= | More than 600 high-speed mail sorting machines were scheduled to be dismantled and removed from postal facilities,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/n7wk9z/the-post-office-is-deactivating-mail-sorting-machines-ahead-of-the-election|title=The Post Office Is Deactivating Mail Sorting Machines Ahead of the Election|last=Gordon|first=Aaron|date=August 13, 2020|work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816131447/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/n7wk9z/the-post-office-is-deactivating-mail-sorting-machines-ahead-of-the-election|url-status=live}}</ref> raising concerns that mailed ballots for the [[2020 United States presidential election|November 3 election]] might not reach election offices on time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/08/13/us-postal-service-whats-going-post-office-what-we-know/3360565001/|title=What's going on with the post office? Here's what we know|last=Behrmann|first=Savannah|date=August 13, 2020|work=USA Today|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815164407/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/08/13/us-postal-service-whats-going-post-office-what-we-know/3360565001/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Mail collection boxes were removed from the streets in many cities; after photos of boxes being removed were spread on social media, a postal service spokesman said they were being moved to higher traffic areas but that the removals would stop until after the election.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/14/people-are-freaking-out-about-mailbox-removals-postal-service-says-its-routine/|title=Postal Service will stop removing mailboxes|last=Bogage|first=Jacob|date=August 14, 2020|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=August 15, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816202417/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/14/people-are-freaking-out-about-mailbox-removals-postal-service-says-its-routine/|url-status=live}}</ref> | Mail collection boxes were removed from the streets in many cities; after photos of boxes being removed were spread on social media, a postal service spokesman said they were being moved to higher traffic areas but that the removals would stop until after the election.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/14/people-are-freaking-out-about-mailbox-removals-postal-service-says-its-routine/|title=Postal Service will stop removing mailboxes|last=Bogage|first=Jacob|date=August 14, 2020|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=August 15, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816202417/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/14/people-are-freaking-out-about-mailbox-removals-postal-service-says-its-routine/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
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{{See also|2020 United States Postal Service crisis}} | {{See also|2020 United States Postal Service crisis}} | ||
Voting by mail has become an increasingly common practice in the United States, with 25% of voters nationwide mailing their ballots in 2016 and 2018. The [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|coronavirus pandemic]] of 2020 was predicted to cause a large increase in mail voting because of the possible danger of congregating at polling places.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/todaysdebate/2020/06/15/coronavirus-pandemic-makes-mail-voting-even-more-important-editorials-debates/5336826002/|title=Coronavirus makes voting by mail even more important|date=June 15, 2020|work= | Voting by mail has become an increasingly common practice in the United States, with 25% of voters nationwide mailing their ballots in 2016 and 2018. The [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|coronavirus pandemic]] of 2020 was predicted to cause a large increase in mail voting because of the possible danger of congregating at polling places.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/todaysdebate/2020/06/15/coronavirus-pandemic-makes-mail-voting-even-more-important-editorials-debates/5336826002/|title=Coronavirus makes voting by mail even more important|date=June 15, 2020|work=USA Today|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816135016/https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/todaysdebate/2020/06/15/coronavirus-pandemic-makes-mail-voting-even-more-important-editorials-debates/5336826002/|url-status=live}}</ref> For the 2020 election, a state-by-state analysis concluded that 76% of Americans were eligible to vote by mail in 2020, a record number. The analysis predicted that 80 million ballots could be cast by mail in 2020 – more than double the number in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/08/11/us/politics/vote-by-mail-us-states.html|title=A Record 76% of Americans Can Vote by Mail in 2020|date=August 14, 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816185758/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/08/11/us/politics/vote-by-mail-us-states.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Postal Service sent letters to 46 states in July 2020, warning that the service might not be able to meet each state's deadlines for requesting and casting last-minute absentee ballots.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/usps-warns-46-states-cannot-guarantee-mail-in-ballots-will-arrive-in-time-for-election|title=USPS warns 46 states it cannot guarantee mail-in ballots will arrive in time for election|last=Phillips|first=Morgan|date=August 14, 2020|work=[[Fox News]]|access-date=August 15, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816235657/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/usps-warns-46-states-cannot-guarantee-mail-in-ballots-will-arrive-in-time-for-election|url-status=live}}</ref> The House of Representatives voted to include an emergency grant of $25 billion to the post office to facilitate the predicted flood of mail ballots,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/08/13/902109991/trump-admits-to-opposing-funding-for-postal-service-to-block-more-voting-by-mail|title=Trump Opposes Postal Service Funding But Says He'd Sign Bill Including It|last=Sprunt|first=Barbara|date=August 13, 2020|work=[[NPR]]|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823073156/https://www.npr.org/2020/08/13/902109991/trump-admits-to-opposing-funding-for-postal-service-to-block-more-voting-by-mail|url-status=live}}</ref> but the bill never reached the Senate floor for a vote.<ref name=USCongress20>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/4174 |title=S.4174 – Postal Service Emergency Assistance Act |date=July 2, 2020 |website=Congress.gov |access-date=December 6, 2021}}</ref><ref name=TCI21>{{cite news |last=Mazzenga |first=David |date=January 22, 2021 |title=Commissioners seek remedy to postal delays |url=https://www.tricountyindependent.com/story/news/2021/01/22/county-officials-ask-congress-solve-mail-delay/4173065001/ |work=Tri-County Independent |access-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref> | ||
A March 2021 report from the Postal Service's inspector general found that the vast majority of mail-in ballots and registration materials in the 2020 election were delivered to the relevant authorities on time.<ref name=NPR21>{{cite news |last=Naylor |first=Brian |date=March 9, 2021 |title=Postal Service Delivered Vast Majority Of Mail Ballots On Time, Report Finds |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/03/09/975198962/postal-service-delivered-vast-majority-of-mail-ballots-on-time-report-finds |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=December 5, 2022}}</ref><ref name=USPS21>{{cite web |url=https://www.uspsoig.gov/sites/default/files/document-library-files/2021/20-318-R21.pdf |title=Service Performance of Election and Political Mail During the November 2020 General Election |date=March 5, 2021 |website=USPS Office of Inspector General |access-date=December 5, 2022 |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208214155/https://www.uspsoig.gov/sites/default/files/document-library-files/2021/20-318-R21.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Postal Service handled approximately 135 million pieces of election-related mail between September 1 and November 3, delivering 97.9% of ballots from voters to election officials within three days, and 99.89% of ballots within seven days.<ref name=NPR21/><ref name=AP22>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=July 28, 2022 |title=New USPS election division will oversee mail-in ballots |url=https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-united-states-presidential-election-2020-294f320df8a6ff9451888ae2778b1a06 |work=Associated Press |access-date=December 5, 2022}}</ref> | A March 2021 report from the Postal Service's inspector general found that the vast majority of mail-in ballots and registration materials in the 2020 election were delivered to the relevant authorities on time.<ref name=NPR21>{{cite news |last=Naylor |first=Brian |date=March 9, 2021 |title=Postal Service Delivered Vast Majority Of Mail Ballots On Time, Report Finds |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/03/09/975198962/postal-service-delivered-vast-majority-of-mail-ballots-on-time-report-finds |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=December 5, 2022}}</ref><ref name=USPS21>{{cite web |url=https://www.uspsoig.gov/sites/default/files/document-library-files/2021/20-318-R21.pdf |title=Service Performance of Election and Political Mail During the November 2020 General Election |date=March 5, 2021 |website=USPS Office of Inspector General |access-date=December 5, 2022 |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208214155/https://www.uspsoig.gov/sites/default/files/document-library-files/2021/20-318-R21.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Postal Service handled approximately 135 million pieces of election-related mail between September 1 and November 3, delivering 97.9% of ballots from voters to election officials within three days, and 99.89% of ballots within seven days.<ref name=NPR21/><ref name=AP22>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=July 28, 2022 |title=New USPS election division will oversee mail-in ballots |url=https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-united-states-presidential-election-2020-294f320df8a6ff9451888ae2778b1a06 |work=Associated Press |access-date=December 5, 2022}}</ref> | ||