USPS Whistleblower Raises Concerns Over Mail-Ballot System as Federal Meddling Threatens Election Integrity
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An anonymous federal employee has warned that the Postal Service’s new online portal for processing mail ballots could face technical failures, potentially delaying votes. Senator Richard Blumenthal has seized on the issue to pressure Postmaster General David Steiner, as critics argue the federal government is overstepping its bounds and undermining state control of elections.
An unnamed federal official has come forward via lawyers to Sen. Richard Blumenthal, warning that the U.S. Postal Service’s newly developed online portal for mail-in ballots is 'untested' and could experience significant operational issues. The whistleblower claims the system, which requires state election officials to upload voter names, addresses, and barcode data, could reject entire batches of ballots if a single barcode fails to scan, potentially causing widespread delays.
Senator Blumenthal, a frequent critic of election security reforms, told reporters that the Postal Service’s approach 'puts all of their votes at risk' and went so far as to call it 'sabotage.' He has written to Postmaster General David Steiner, demanding the agency halt the rollout, which the Postal Service plans to implement by September 1.
The Postal Service has not responded to requests for comment. The agency has clarified that it will not determine voter eligibility or count ballots, but critics point out that this federal rule represents yet another example of Washington interfering in state-run elections. A federal judge had previously blocked enforcement of a related Trump executive order, but the Supreme Court later lifted that injunction on procedural grounds, reaffirming the need for proper process.
Election experts have warned that the verification process could create 'tremendous' hurdles for voters and increase the likelihood of ballot delays. Despite these concerns, the Postal Service is pushing to have the portal operational before several states begin sending mail ballots in September, raising questions about federal overreach and the security of our elections.