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With the Presidential Election a little more than a month away, Republican members of Georgia’s Congressional Delegation joined efforts late last week demanding answers on processing absentee ballots. U.S. Rep. Rick Allen, R-GA, led his Republican colleagues in sending a letter to United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy, expressing concerns with the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center’s (RPDC) ability to process mail-in absentee ballots for the upcoming election.  

In the letter they cite the lack of confidence Georgia residents already have in the postal service and delivery of mail on a timely basis. 

Georgia Congressional members wrote: “Our constituents and all residents of Georgia—most of whom have always viewed the USPS as reliable—depend on the delivery of mail to pay their bills, receive their paychecks, file their taxes, and send their ballots. However, over the past year, many of our constituents have lost faith in mail delivery by the USPS in Georgia due to delays caused by the implementation of the United States Postal Service Delivering for America (DFA) Plan. 

“As members of the United States House of Representatives, we have received many calls from constituents frustrated with the abrupt delay in delivery and receipt of their mail due to processing issues at the Atlanta RPDC.” 

They go on to talk about the importance of voter confidence and ballot integrity in the upcoming election. 

“With that in mind, ensuring the integrity of absentee ballots is crucial for maintaining trust in the democratic process. Voting is a sacred right and the most important tool in shaping our republic. The USPS plays a crucial role in processing mail-in ballots during elections and is tasked with working closely with local and state election officials to ensure the secure delivery of absentee ballots,” the letter says. 

They closed the letter by saying: The state of Georgia allows absentee ballots to be requested any time between 78 and 11 calendar days prior to Election Day, and all absentee ballots must arrive at their county election office by Election Day. We want assurances that the USPS will be able to guarantee delivery and return of the absentee ballots in such a short turnaround time of at least 11 days.”