Postal workers play a fundamental role in our democracy: moving America’s mail, including election mail and ballots. But a new executive order is putting that role, as well as the public’s ability to Vote-by-Mail under growing pressure.
The USPS Board of Governors “ultimate control and authority” over the Postal Service, and they have the power to stop measures like this. APWU is calling on the USPS Board of Governors to use that responsibility to protect the integrity of the Postal Service and ensure that postal workers can continue doing our jobs without being turned into election administrators.
Vote-by-Mail is a Proven Tool
Millions of Americans rely on the Postal Service to participate in elections. Approximately 30% of voters, nearly 47 million Americans, voted by mail in 2024.
Mail voting is administered under state election laws, with election officials responsible for determining voter eligibility and verifying ballots before they are counted. The Postal Service’s role is to process, transport, and deliver election mail.
A new federal policy could fundamentally change the Postal Service’s role
On March 31, 2026, President Trump issued Executive Order 14399, directing federal agencies to take steps concerning citizenship verification and federal election eligibility and directing the Postmaster General to begin rulemaking concerning mail-in and absentee ballots for federal elections.
Postal employees are proud to provide an essential public service. Our job is to deliver the mail. Election officials, under the laws and procedures established by the states and federal law, administer elections and determine voter eligibility.
Asking postal workers to take on responsibilities that belong to election officials could create confusion for workers and voters alike. It could also undermine public confidence in the Postal Service as a trusted institution.
Take Action!
The Postal Service has decades of experience handling election mail securely and efficiently. We should not undermine that mission by turning postal employees into gatekeepers for the ballot box.
The USPS Board of Governors has a responsibility to oversee the Postal Service and protect its ability to serve the American people.
That is why APWU is calling on the Board of Governors to:
- Protect the Postal Service’s role as a trusted carrier of election mail.
- Oppose efforts that would improperly shift voter-eligibility responsibilities onto postal employees.
- Ensure that new ballot-mail requirements do not interfere with the timely and reliable delivery of election mail.
- Protect postal workers from being placed in the middle of disputes over voter eligibility.
- Use its power to defend the integrity, independence, and public trust of the Postal Service.
Take action today and send them a letter
Tell the USPS Board of Governors: Postal workers deliver the mail. We should not be responsible for deciding who is eligible to vote.
Send a message today calling on the Board to use its power to protect election mail, protect postal workers, and preserve the Postal Service’s role as a trusted part of America’s electoral system.
Our democracy depends on an independent postal service. Let’s make sure it stays that way.
The post Protect Our Right to Vote-by-Mail: APWU Calls on USPS Board of Governors to Act first appeared on APWU.