How Trump is using the U.S. Postal Service to boost his election chances
In Australia, if you can’t make it to a polling booth on election day, you can request a postal ballot to be sent in anytime in the few weeks before an election.
All mainstream political parties support the concept. If you’re travelling for work, visiting a sick friend, or live too far away from a polling centre, it makes sense for you to have another way to vote.
In the U.S., it’s different. In a matter of weeks, the USPS - the country’s postal service - has found itself at the centre of an extraordinary political battle that threatens the integrity of the U.S.’s upcoming presidential election.
Here’s how it happened.
Trump’s first move: cut funding
The USPS has seen a surge in requests for postal ballots, with U.S. voters keen to vote from home rather than risk a COVID-19 infection from the voting line.
The agency needs emergency funds to prepare for the November election. But so far, Trump has opposed a $25 billion emergency bailout, as well as a Democrat proposal that would provide the USPS with an additional $3.6 billion in election funding.
Trump’s second move: hire Louis DeJoy
Trump has also replaced the outgoing USPS Postmaster General - the agency’s top boss - with Louis DeJoy, a Republican donor and close ally.
DeJoy has donated $2 million to Republicans since 2016. DeJoy and his wife also own stock and assets worth $75.3 million in some of USPS’ main competitors. DeJoy is also chair of the 2020 Republican National Convention’s finance committee.
Since being appointed, Dejoy has cut costs and ordered employees not to work overtime to deliver mail. 23 top executives have been displaced or reassigned.
What will happen next?
For months, Trump has warned mail-in ballot could cause a rigged general election.
Election fraud in the U.S. is extremely low - but that hasn’t stopped Trump for telling his supporters it may threaten his election victory.
Trump is about 8 points behind his rival - Democrat Joe Biden, who is the favourite to win the election. Experts say Trump’s fears about election fraud help boost excitement among his own voter base.
The U.S. presidential election is on November 3.