In Monday’s ruling, Merero said the U.S.P.S. Will require that all election mails be treated as First-Class Mail or Priority Mail Express, and that USPSA must “pre-approve” all overtime requests for two weeks around Election Day. Ensure that absentee ballots are processed properly.
“The right to vote is very important in our democracy to remain in a state of secrecy in the minds of voters in the weeks leading up to the presidential election, and raises doubts about whether their votes will eventually be counted,” Merero wrote.
“While the court has no doubt that the postal service staff consists of hardworking and dedicated public servants, many administrative failures have undermined the ability of postal staff to complete their important work.”
The changes will take effect on Friday, the judge said. He asked the parties to reach a settlement that includes his directives, but if they do not reach an agreement by noon on Friday, the judicial order to impose the change will automatically enter into force.
The Justice Department and the Postal Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
If the USPS. Unable to agree to bring about this change, Merero says he would like to see the UPS. Will take several steps to force its mail delivery and policy reform under a court order.
It will direct USPS to draft and implement a consistent plan to restore timely delivery performance to the pre-July level. USPS Service reports and variance reports must then be submitted to the court.
Under the court order, USPSA must pre-approve all overtime between October 26 and November 6. The USPS will also have to make company-made transfers which will make it clear that late travel for mail trucks will be encouraged for election mail transfers and does not require special approval – undoing some changes to the DJOI signature policy.
The DJO imposed significant restrictions on late and extra trips on July 10, which the U.S.PS. Since then it has been acknowledged that due to significant mail delays.
The USPS claims that the delay has improved, but it has not yet returned to pre-July levels.
“The postal service has long promised that ‘[n]Snow, rain, heat, or the darkness of the night keep these couriers from completing their designated round quickly, “said Remy Green, the plaintiff’s attorney for the lawsuit against UPS, which includes New York voters and public office candidates.”
Ali Nazmi, another attorney for the plaintiff, told CNN that he would talk to the defense attorney later today to start talking about settling the case.
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