As a controversy swirled this week about mail voting, some candidates and officeholders are speaking out on the issue.
Interest in mail voting is high among residents, as avoiding contact when necessary by voting through the mail is very much the “in” thing to do in this COVID-19 pandemic.
On Aug. 7, the Kansas secretary of state reported on social media that that 315,079 advance ballots had been mailed statewide for the primary, with nearly 83 percent returned. The mail ballots were fairly evenly split between Democrats and Republicans,
But a national controversy arose around the postal service and voting this past week, with reports that some large mail sorting machines were being removed, and that overtime for postal service workers was being cut back. Some saw it as a political move by the Trump administration to limit voting by mail in the general election.
‘A political pawn’
Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday afternoon said it was “very disturbing” that the U.S. Postal Service was being used as a political pawn.
“They need to be supported, and we need to do everything we can to make ensure that what’s been going on at the federal government ceases,” she said during a news conference Monday afternoon. “And that instead of unraveling the postal system, that we reinforce it, because at this time, we need them more than ever.”
“We will do everything we can to make sure Kansans have the opportunity to participate in voting and a part in the democracy during the November election,” she said.;
According to the governor, veterans who receive their medications by mail were not getting them for days or weeks because of slowdowns imposed in the postal service.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, mail ballots have increased throughout the nation, including in cities where people usually vote in person. And as always, any reduction in services that affects mail ballots would strike at the elderly and the homebound, those in rural areas and those who do not have transportation to the polls.
Rep. Davids’ statement on postmaster’s suspending changes to Postal Service
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., sent out a statement about Postmaster General Louis DeJoy suspending changes to the Postal Service, following Davids’ calls for his firing:
“In the past week alone, I’ve heard hundreds of Kansans who are deeply concerned about the United States Postal Service. Seniors and veterans are experiencing delays in getting their prescription drugs, business owners are seeing mail disruptions impact their customers, and people have said they are no longer getting their mail at all on some days. Meanwhile, many are worried about whether their ballot will be counted if they vote by mail.
“These are the consequences of this Administration’s attempts to sabotage the Postal Service for their own political gain. It’s why I spoke out against the Postmaster General’s reckless policies, and why I believe he needs to be replaced with new, nonpartisan leadership. I’m glad that he has heard these calls and the millions of Americans who are rightfully outraged by his actions and is suspending changes to the Postal Service – but this alone is not enough. And it is not clear whether he will restore any of the mail sorting machines that have already been removed.
“I look forward to the House coming back into session this week to help protect the USPS from these attacks and ensure that it has the resources needed to help people send and receive mail during this pandemic. I’m also advocating for the House to use this time to pass a bipartisan coronavirus relief package that meets the scope of this ongoing health and economic crisis. Kansans are rightly demanding action on both fronts – and that’s what I’ll continue to push for.”
Last week, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., in a news release called for the firing of the postmaster general.
Rep. Davids cited the changes to U.S. Postal Service operations made recently that were predicted to cause serious problems and delays ahead of the general election in November, when more people than ever were expected to vote by mail. It was reported recently that overtime for postal service workers was cut back and also that some large mail sorting machines have been removed.
She cited a national story about the president’s remarks that mail voting leads to fraud. Democrats had called for more funding for the Postal Service, and last week, the president had said he had been opposed to the funding because of the election. On Monday, the president did a turnabout, saying he is encouraging everyone to speed up the mail.
“The Postal Service is critical to our economy, our seniors and veterans who count on lifesaving medications, our small businesses that need to ship their products, and even to our democracy,” Rep. Davids said in her news release. “It also employs nearly half a million Americans, many of them veterans like my mom, who have risked their lives during this health crisis to make sure people all over the country have the supplies they need. I will not stand by while this President and his cronies try to tear apart this constitutionally-mandated and extremely popular institution piece by piece in order to serve their political agenda. The American people have lost all faith in DeJoy’s ability to lead the Postal Service and he must be removed immediately. We need new, nonpartisan leadership so the Postal Service can continue to deliver for the people whose lives and livelihoods depend on it.”Rep. Davids’ mother has worked for the Postal Service for nearly 20 years, according to her statement. Rep. Davids has supported funding for the postal service in each COVID-19 relief package.
This week, there have been reports that the postmaster general will be testifying before Congress next Monday.
Sen. Moran asks for meeting with postmaster general
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, on Tuesday called on the postmaster general to work with Congress to reform the U.S. Postal Service, put it on firmer financial footing and protect the integrity of the USPS. According to his letter, Sen. Moran had previously asked for a meeting in June, but was told that the postmaster general was not meeting with Congress at that time.
“Serving a rural state like Kansas, I understand well the crippling impact that losing the Postal Service would have on rural communities across the country,” Sen. Moran wrote in a letter to the postmaster general. “The Postal Service is navigating unchartered waters but it cannot fail its responsibilities… As leaders, we must take a big picture approach to the crisis playing out and discuss comprehensive reforms that will stabilize the institution. Many of the necessary reforms needed to secure the Postal Service require congressional action, rather than unilateral decisions made without the input of stakeholders and Congress.”
Sen. Moran requested a meeting with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy in June and again this week urged DeJoy and USPS leadership to meet and engage with Congress on postal reform.
Adkins supports secure elections
Candidate Amanda Adkins, a Republican who is running for the 3rd District, U.S. House, released this statement through communications director Matthew Trail: “Amanda Adkins supports Kansas voters’ ability to securely cast their ballots via mail, if requested, or in person. We have faith that Kansas elections will continue to be efficiently administered in accordance with state and federal law.”
For information on mail-in ballots, and about in-person voting, visit the Wyandotte County election office at www.wycovotes.org or call 913-573-8500.
To view an NBC story about voting by mail in Kansas and Missouri, and other states, visit https://www.nbcnews.com/specials/plan-your-vote-state-by-state-guide-voting-by-mail-early-in-person-voting-election/index.html?cid=sm_npd_ms_fb_lw&fbclid=IwAR3x0x72gOupMvauows3Bd1NN8ULiwdLp6rQvexm_5lRIiNt-ajYDKKpq9Y#kansas