August 28, 2020 IN: National, Press Room

SEARAC Demands Preservation of the USPS, Encourages Absentee Voting

For immediate release
August 28, 2020

Media contact:
Elaine Sanchez Wilson
elaine@searac.org
(202) 601-2970

Washington, DC – SEARAC denounces the Trump Administration and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s efforts to dismantle the US Postal Service. Since his appointment, DeJoy has throttled mail delivery as part of the Trump Administration’s ongoing sabotage of the Postal Service, harming communities across the country that rely on timely mail. In fact, President Trump has admitted publicly that he opposes funding for the USPS because he wants to prevent voting by mail.

The US House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation last Saturday that would preserve the ability of the USPS to deliver mail. This includes critical services such as absentee ballots cast for the general election in November, information sent by government agencies about the Covid-19 pandemic, prescription medicines, government assistance checks, and more. The bill would block operational changes that would result in reduced services from taking place until after the end of the pandemic. It would also provide the USPS an additional $25 billion, an amount previously recommended to Congress by the USPS board of governors. Unfortunately, the bill faces strong opposition in the US Senate and a veto threat by the White House.

“The US Postal Service is essential for Southeast Asian American communities, especially during a health crisis in which the mail may be the only way for families to access critical services,” said Katrina Dizon Mariategue, acting executive director of SEARAC. “This includes voting by mail, which is the safest way for Southeast Asian Americans who are particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus to participate in the general election. Unfortunately, the USPS continues to be interrupted, and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s recent actions remain far from reassuring. We thank the House for their bill and call for its immediate passage by the Senate and the White House to ensure that the USPS can continue to operate in all communities.”

SEARAC encourages SEAAs to cast their votes this November via vote by mail, absentee ballots, and/or early voting to ensure our communities’ civic power and our health and safety. Absentee and early voting laws vary by state, and eligible citizens should check with their local election office’s website for important rules and deadlines or additional resources, like vote.org. If allowed in your state, you can also drop off your ballot at a drop box or polling place instead of returning it by mail.

August 28, 2020 IN: National, Press Room

SEARAC Demands Preservation of the USPS, Encourages Absentee Voting

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