Read on Twitter
1. The media has failed to provide some context. @USPS has had excess paper mail processing capacity for a very long time. (See https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-470) @RSI @PaulSteidler @RossAMarchand @PostCom2 @AmberMcReynolds @NonprofitMailer @PostalConsumers
2. USPS has been removing sorting machines for many years. (See https://www.uspsoig.gov/document/area-mail-processing-consolidations)
3. USPS paper mail volume is down 30+ percent since 2008, which gives USPS further reason for USPS to rightsize its processing capacity. Such facts are worth keeping reporting.
4. Also: Election mail is a rounding error relative to total USPS mail volume. As noted yesterday, USPS delivers 2.7 billion mail pieces (including parcels) per week. Even if 275 million individuals cast ballots by mail the USPS could handle it. (See https://facts.usps.com/table-facts/ )
5. One issue that the media is little covering and which Congress should inquire about is: can USPS handle its current volume of parcels? Does it have all the machinery it needs? For sure USPS lacks the delivery fleet required.
6. Also, @oigusps ought to examine whether the crush of parcels is creating operational issues (e.g., delivery slowdowns, excessive workhours for USPS workers, etc.)
7. Last thing. Each year Congress provides $ to USPS for "revenue forgone," e.g., for providing free mail delivery to the blind. (see https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/RS21025.html)
8. Congress could do the same with ballot in the mail. It could expand revenue forgone to reimburse USPS for carrying ballots first class. That would cost maybe $200m/year and it would put to rest the anxieties about local election administrators/marketing mail/etc.
