Dear John:

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion
of their appointed rounds...but new rules just might!

Earlier today, the USPS issued a letter saying recent changes to their operations are likely to mean ballot issues in at least 46 states. These changes are threatening the most fundamental part of our democracy: A free and fair election.

Make no mistake: The United States Postal Service is under attack and your vote may be in jeopardy. With many Americans planning to vote by mail this November, this is an issue we must all care about. 

Stories of mail delays in communities across the country, postal workers stating that ballots may be delayed, and more...you might be wondering what exactly is going on. In fact, the complexity of this issue is what has made it so dangerous. But PFLAG National is here to help.

If you haven’t already checked out our blog providing crucial education on the election and the Post Office, read it now - and be sure to bookmark it, as we will keep it updated!

Here are a few important pieces of the puzzle that will help you learn more: 

• The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act: Passed in 2006, this bill requires the US Postal Service to fund employees’ future retirement and health benefits, significantly impacting its solvency.
   
• Push to privatize: There has been an ongoing and long-term push to privatize the U.S. Postal Service.
   
• Attacks on vote-by-mail: Throughout the primaries and headed to the general election the current administration has relentlessly attacked vote-by-mail. 
   
• Cost-cutting and mail delays: In July, 2020 an internal memo announced cost-cutting measures including the elimination of overtime and late trips causing mail delivery to be delayed.
   
• Ousting of leadership and hiring freeze: On August 7, 2020 Postmaster General DeJoy announced a major overhaul of the USPS leadership team and a hiring freeze.
   
• Removal of mail sorting machines: On August 13, 2020 news outlets reported on a USPS memo detailed plans to remove more than 650 high-volume mail-processing machines from facilities across the country.
   
• Removal of blue mailboxes: At the same time news outlets also reported that blue USPS mailboxes were being removed from cities throughout the country including Portland, New York, and Bozeman. 

Your action is needed right now. Our democracy depends on it.

Here are five things you can do to support the post office and its role in our election right now.

And here are things you can do to ensure that your vote is received and counted:

• If you haven’t already done so, request your ballot to vote by mail TODAY.
   
• Commit to returning your ballot by mail within 24 hours of receiving it.
   
• Confirm the amount of postage you and your family will need to cast a ballot in your state.
   
• Learn about when and where you can return your ballot in-person in your state.
   
• Track your ballot until you have confirmation that it has been received and counted.
   
• Learn about what to do, in your state, if your ballot to vote by mail does not arrive by election day.

You can find additional resources, including voter registration, education, mobilization, and protection tools, that will help you complete the tasks above at pflag.org/pflagvotes2020.

Sincerely,

Brian K. Bond, Executive Director
PFLAG National