post office Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

‘There’s No End In Sight’: Mail Delivery Delays Continue Across The Country

By NPR News January 23, 2021

A U.S. postal worker delivers packages, boxes and letters in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood shortly before Christmas. The U.S. Postal Service said it faces "unprecedented volume increases and limited employee availability due to the impacts of COVID-19." Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

The U.S. Postal Service has an answer at the very top of its official tracking page. A disclaimer there notes the system is "experiencing unprecedented volume increases and limited employee availability due to the impacts of COVID-19." That combination is making it tough on those at the other end of the mailbox.Read More

Rule Changes In Swing States Mean More Votes Will Count, Results May Take Longer

By NPR News September 24, 2020

A worker prepares absentee ballots for mailing at the Wake County Board of Elections in Raleigh, N.C., earlier this month. Gerry Broome/AP

Changes in Wisconsin and North Carolina mean absentee ballots that are postmarked by Election Day will count, if received within six and nine days of the election, respectively.Read More

‘We’re Ready’: Washington Election Officials Seek To Reassure Voters And Convince More To Register

By Austin Jenkins September 20, 2020

A person drops off a ballot for Washington state's primary election, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, at a collection box at the King County Administration Building in Seattle. CREDIT: Ted S. Warren/AP

As President Donald Trump intensifies his attacks on the security of vote-by-mail, county auditors and state election officials sought Friday to reassure voters the state of Washington is well prepared to pull off the 2020 vote-by-mail election.Read More

Washington State Elections Officials Warn Of Misleading Information On USPS Post Card

By NWPB News September 15, 2020

This election mailer was sent out nationally to every postal customer in September 2020. But Washington state election officials say it's confusing and inaccurate for Washington voters in the already all-vote-by-mail state.

The move by the USPS prompted a scramble by county auditors who run elections in their counties and the Washington Secretary of State’s office, which oversees elections statewide, to put out public messages to clarify the process. Read More

Postal Service Watchdog Outlines ‘Concerns’ Surrounding Election Readiness

By NPR News September 1, 2020

Postal workers sort, load and deliver mail at a U.S. Postal Service location last month in Los Angeles. CREDIT: Kyle Grillot/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. Postal Service still has a number of hurdles to overcome to support upcoming general election mail-in ballots, its inspector general's office says. Read More

Why Rural America Is Pushing Back Against Post Office Cuts

By NPR News August 24, 2020

The U.S. Postal Service warned states in late July that it might not be able to deliver mail-in ballots in time to be counted. Amid a growing outcry from rural leaders, the agency's director has backed down from planned broad cuts and changes. CREDIT: aul Weaver/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

The agency serves areas where private carriers won't go. And in those remote communities, which helped elect the president, the Postal Service can be seen as a lifeline as well as a human connection.Read More

In Senate Hearing, Controversial Postmaster General Vows USPS Can Handle Mail-In Ballots

By NPR News August 21, 2020

In this image from video, U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testifies during a video virtual hearing before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee on the U.S. Postal Service during COVID-19 and the upcoming elections, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (US Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs via AP)

The U.S. Postal Service has suffered from financial problems for years, but Louis DeJoy, a Republican fundraiser, chose this summer to cut some overtime, withdraw sorting machines and impose other operational changes that have effectively reduced the system's throughput.Read More

Postmaster General Suspends Controversial USPS Changes Until After Election

By NPR News August 18, 2020

A group of protesters demonstrate in front of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's home in Greensboro, N.C., on Sunday. Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images

Louis DeJoy, an ally of President Trump, has come under fire in recent weeks for what's viewed as directives to slow down USPS in order to suppress absentee or mail-in votes. Read More

President Trump Admits He Opposes USPS Funding For Vote-By-Mail, But Reverses Self Hours Later

By NPR News August 13, 2020

Washington state primary election ballot for the Aug. 4, 2020 all-vote-by-mail election. CREDIT: Scott Leadingham/NWPB

President Trump told Fox Business Network that he's against additional funding and election assistance for the U.S. Postal Service in order to sabotage efforts to expand mail-in voting.Read More

Postal Workers Decry Changes And Cost-Cutting Measures

By NPR News August 11, 2020

The U.S. Postal Service has had financial problems for years, but the new postmaster general is making changes and some workers are alarmed. CREDIT: Scott Olson/Getty Images

As a result of the new postmaster general's plans to shake up the agency, "mail is beginning to pile up in our offices," says Kimberly Karol, a postal clerk and union leader in Iowa.Read More

Postmaster General Touts Postal Service Overhaul But Promises On-Time Election Mail

By NPR News August 7, 2020

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, second from left, leaves the U.S. Capitol after meeting Wednesday with Democratic leaders. Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images

Louis DeJoy's political donations have sparked questions about whether he has an interest in affecting the delivery of mail ballots. He said the Postal Service has "ample capacity" to handle them.Read More

Pending Postal Service Changes Could Delay Mail And Deliveries, Advocates Warn

By NPR News July 29, 2020

Letter carrier Henrietta Dixon, a 30-year veteran, sorts mail to be delivered before she sets out on her route in Philadelphia. Changes within the Postal Service could make some deliveries late. CREDIT: Matt Rourke/AP

Critics charge the new postmaster general intends to make the Postal Service more of a business than a service, which opponents say could cause disruptions for customers.Read More

Gwen Ifill Honored in Forever Stamp Dedication Ceremony

By PBS Newshour January 30, 2020

The late NewsHour co-anchor Gwen Ifill is being commemorated by the U.S. Postal Service with a Forever stamp this year.Read More