Democrats are pushing for another round of mail-in voting extensions, citing concerns over postal delays that they claim could disrupt the upcoming election. While these arguments echo those made during the 2020 presidential race, critics point out that no significant delays materialized at that time, and many court rulings have since declared similar extensions unconstitutional.
Many federal and state officials argue that mail system problems justify extending the voting window, allowing ballots received after Election Day to be counted. However, courts across the country have found that these emergency actions, often bypassing state legislatures, violated constitutional provisions regarding state control of election laws.
A letter from two election-focused organizations, NASS and NASED, to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, outlines their concerns, citing recurring issues with USPS performance. The letter urged immediate reforms, warning that the current mail service could lead to election problems.
The leaders of NASS and NASED include prominent Democrats, such as Adrian Fontes (D-AZ) and Jena Griswold (D-CO), alongside Brad Raffensperger (R-GA), a Republican often at odds with President Donald Trump. The head of NASED, Mary Vigil, has deep connections within Democratic circles.
Republicans argue that Democrats are attempting to extend mail-in voting rules to gain an unfair advantage. They emphasize the need for election laws to be decided by state legislatures, not by executive orders or judicial rulings. Many fear that these efforts could erode trust in the electoral process.
