Press Releases

WASHINGTON – During Colorado’s primary election week, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) led an effort with Representative Kim Schrier (WA-08) pushing for more reliable delivery for mail-in ballots, particularly for rural communities, which have experienced longstanding mail service delays. In a letter sent today to the United States Postal Service (USPS), the Members demanded answers on the specific steps USPS has been taking to ensure the timely and reliable delivery of election mail.

Colorado and Washington are both universal mail in ballot states, where every registered voter automatically receives a ballot in the mail. But rural and mountain communities across Colorado’s Seventh District, such as Silver Cliff and Poncha Springs, have faced persistent mail delivery challenges, including longer wait times, delayed delivery, and the unexpected closures, leaving entire communities without postal service. As millions of voters prepare to cast their votes this week in the upcoming primary elections, many depend on reliable access to mail in ballots to ensure that their votes are cast and counted on time.

The Members’ effort also comes on the coattails of mounting threats to mail‑in voting systems nationwide, punctuated by recent testimony from Postmaster General David Steiner indicating the USPS could withhold mail ballots from states that do not provide the federal government with lists of voters who have requested absentee or mail ballots.

In their letter to Postmaster General David Steiner, the lawmakers requested detailed information on USPS's election mail preparedness, including how the agency is addressing persistent service gaps in rural areas, mitigating workforce and transportation challenges, coordinating with state and local election officials, and ensuring ballots are delivered on time so every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.

“Millions of Coloradans depend on voting by mail, especially in our rural communities where polling locations can be few and far between. We’re proud to have one of the most secure election systems in the nation, one that I helped build during my time in the State Legislature. These primaries are the voters’ first chance this year to make their voices heard on Trump’s disastrous policies for the past two years, but our rural communities have been dealing with delays that could jeopardize their ability to make sure their votes are counted on time.” said Pettersen. “Our democracy works best when everyone has a chance to have their voice heard. At a time when Trump is trying to attack mail in voting and rig both the primaries and the upcoming midterm elections by making it harder for people to vote, we should be doing everything we can to make sure that rural voters don’t get left behind just because of where they live.”

“The ability to participate freely and fairly in elections is not only a core principle of democracy, but is central to who we are as Americans,” said Schrier. “Right now, the Trump Administration’s attack on mail-in ballots, voter eligibility, and local election systems threatens the ability of my constituents to vote – especially those who live in rural communities far away from in-person voting options. Washington state’s mail-in voting system is one of the best in the country and, for decades, has increased the ability of all Washingtonians to make their voices heard each November. I am proud to lead the effort to ensure USPS is taking the necessary steps to deliver timely, reliable, and secure election mail for rural Americans.” 

The full version of the letter can be found here and below:

Dear Postmaster General Steiner, 

We write to request information regarding the United States Postal Service’s preparedness to ensure the timely and reliable delivery of election mail leading up to the upcoming federal elections, with particular attention to service in rural and mountain communities.

Across the country, the Postal Service plays an essential role in connecting communities, supporting local economies, and ensuring access to critical services. That role is especially important in rural areas, where residents often depend on USPS as their primary and sometimes only reliable connection to mail delivery, including medications, essential goods, and election materials.

However, persistent service gaps in rural communities continue to raise serious concerns. In many areas, residents experience longer delivery times, inconsistent service, and limited access to postal facilities. These challenges are often compounded by workforce shortages, delivery route constraints, transportation delays, and geographic barriers such as mountainous terrain and long travel distances between delivery points. In some communities, post offices operate with reduced hours or limited staffing, further restricting access for residents who already face fewer alternatives.

Recent oversight findings and constituent reports have highlighted that mail delivery performance in certain rural areas has fallen below national averages, with delays in both letter mail and packages. These service gaps can have real consequences for families and small businesses, but they are particularly concerning in the context of elections. When voters rely on the mail to receive and return their ballots, even modest delays can create barriers to participation, especially in communities where in-person voting options are limited or far away.

The reliability of postal delivery is directly tied to the ability of voters to participate in free and fair elections. During recent outreach in rural and mountain communities, we consistently heard concerns about delayed mail delivery, inconsistent service, and uncertainty about whether ballots would arrive and be counted on time. These concerns emphasize the need for clear and proactive planning to address known service gaps ahead of the election.

We recognize and appreciate the dedication of USPS employees who serve rural communities under challenging conditions every day. At the same time, it is essential that USPS take targeted and transparent steps to address longstanding disparities in service and ensure that all voters, regardless of geography, have equal access to timely and reliable mail delivery.

To better understand USPS’s preparedness and planning efforts, we respectfully request responses to the following questions:

• What specific operational steps is USPS taking to ensure all election mail, including ballots, is delivered in a timely and reliable manner for the upcoming election?

• How does USPS define, track, and publicly report delivery performance for election mail, particularly for ballots sent to and from rural communities?

• What targeted actions are being implemented to address persistent delivery delays in rural and hard-to-reach ZIP codes, including those with known staffing or transportation challenges?

• How is USPS addressing workforce shortages, route coverage gaps, and logistical constraints that may disproportionately impact rural mail delivery?

• What protocols are in place to identify, prioritize, and expedite election mail within USPS processing and delivery systems?

• How does USPS coordinate with state and local election officials to ensure alignment on ballot mailing timelines and delivery expectations, particularly in rural jurisdictions?

• Has USPS provided updated guidance to election officials and the public regarding recommended mailing deadlines to account for potential delays in rural delivery networks?

• How does USPS handle ballots that are processed or delivered after applicable state deadlines due to postal delays, and what safeguards are in place to minimize these occurrences?

• In light of recent federal actions affecting voter records and mail-in voting processes, how will USPS ensure that ballots are delivered accurately and on time to eligible voters, including in cases where address records may be incomplete, outdated, or inconsistent?

• What were USPS’s on-time delivery rates for election mail during the 2022 and 2024 election cycles, including a detailed breakdown by rural and urban areas, and what lessons learned from those cycles are being applied to current preparations?

A reliable and accessible postal system is fundamental to ensuring that all Americans, regardless of where they live, can fully participate in our democratic process. Addressing longstanding service gaps in rural communities is critical to maintaining trust in both our postal system and our elections. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your detailed response.

Sincerely,

Rep. Pettersen is the founder of the bipartisan Delivering Postal Solutions Caucus, established to improve mail service in communities experiencing persistent delivery challenges. Throughout her time in Congress, she has consistently pushed USPS leadership for greater transparency and accountability, leading oversight efforts with both former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and current Postmaster General David Steiner to address chronic mail delays affecting rural and mountain communities across Colorado. Her advocacy helped secure the reopening of postal service in Poncha Springs through the establishment of a new post office. Rep. Pettersen also introduced H.R. 448, the Silver Cliff Community Act, to resolve the town's longstanding ZIP code issue and pave the way for a local post office to better serve the community.

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