For the second time in a week, a federal judge has ordered the halt to policy changes at the US Postal Service, saying that “managerial failures” have undermined the public’s faith in the stalwart service, CNN reports.
US District Judge Victor Marrero in New York’s Southern District ruled Monday that all election mail must be treated as first-class or priority mail express and that the USPS must pre-approve overtime for the two weeks before and after Election Day to ensure all mail-in ballots are delivered promptly.
“The right to vote is too vital a value in our democracy to be left in a state of suspense in the minds of voters weeks before a presidential election, raising doubts as to whether their votes will ultimately be counted,” Marrero wrote. “While the court has no doubts that the Postal Service’s workforce comprises hardworking and dedicated public servants, multiple managerial failures have undermined the postal employees’ ability to fulfill their vital mission.”
The USPS, which was joined by the Department of Justice in defense, must implement these policies by Friday or the judge will implement orders to restore delivery practices to pre-July levels. US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy implemented policy changes July 10th that resulted in significant delays other problems.
The case against the USPS was brought by Mondaire Jones, the Democratic candidate for the 17th Congressional district in New York.