A whistleblower report released Tuesday details significant flaws within the U.S. Postal Service's new mail-in ballot processing system, raising concerns about its readiness for the upcoming midterm elections. The report, obtained by Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, describes the system as untested and prone to "catastrophic failure" if implemented before November.
The system is designed to compare mail-in ballots against a central repository of registered voters, compiling information from all U.S. states. According to the report, problems exist at "every stage" of its development. These issues have emerged as the Postal Service faces increased oversight of mail-in voting processes, a move that has been pursued by President Donald Trump.
A federal judge in Boston recently placed a temporary block on an executive order by Trump that sought to assert greater federal control over voting. The Justice Department has appealed this decision to the 1st Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, and is expected to seek further intervention from the Supreme Court.
States are preparing to send out ballots in the coming weeks, with North Carolina set to begin on September 4 and Alabama the following week. The whistleblower's findings suggest the new USPS procedures are "rushed," "risky," and "haphazard," a result of what the report calls an "impossible" timeline set by the administration to tighten mail-in voting requirements and vet ballots.
Senator Blumenthal stated that the new USPS system "puts all of their votes at risk," noting that "one third of all Americans cast their ballots by mail." The report also highlights a "zero-percent failure" policy adopted alongside the portal, which could lead to the mass rejection of ballots without an avenue for appeal. This could result in thousands of ballots being returned to states, potentially invalidating them due to minor issues like a changed last name or address. The report characterizes the process as "entirely unforgiving."
The whistleblower, described as a "federal official with direct knowledge of potentially catastrophic problems," submitted the complaint through Whistleblower Aid. Blumenthal expressed concern that the "sloppiness and haste seems clearly part of a purposeful attempt to create chaos and prevent people from voting," and is demanding answers and accountability.
