Brady Condemns Actions of U.S. PostMaster General, Creating Concerns Over Election Readiness

Washington, D.C., August 8, 2020 - Today, Brady condemns the actions of U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, whose reorganization of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has removed or reassigned 23 executives in the agency. This action comes amidst growing concerns over delays in USPS service and the agency’s ability to handle mail-in ballots during the 2020 election. Brady condemns Postmaster DeJoy’s actions during this critical juncture and reiterates the need for all Americans to engage in our democratic processes ahead of the 2020 elections in November.

Brady President Kris Brown shared:

“The actions taken by Postmaster General DeJoy raise serious questions and concerns regarding his priorities for the agency heading into the 2020 election. This year, more so than at any point in our nation’s history, Americans are relying on the U.S. Postal Service to connect with loved ones, communicate, and conduct business while physical distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. This reorganization, which DeJoy stated is to create ‘greater focus on the core aspects of our business,’ accompanies a hiring freeze, raising more concerns that Postmaster DeJoy does not recognize the need for greater support of our nation’s postal service or that he does not care.

This latest action follows numerous comments made by members of the Trump Administration regarding voting-by-mail, compounding worries that Postmaster DeJoy, who was a major donor to the Trump Campaign before his appointment, is not acting as an impartial or objective administrator.

Brady stands firm in the truth that we must expend every effort as a nation to expand and strengthen our democracy. President Trump and his administration have done the opposite, actively undermining faith in our systems at every turn and supporting policies that actively suppress the voices of many Americans, especially disenfranchised individuals, including Black and Latinx voters. Brady continues to advocate for expanding access to the ballot by removing barriers to absentee voting and expanding voting processes to include universal voting-by-mail. These policies only work if our country’s institutions function properly and in the best interest of the American people. Postmaster DeJoy’s actions undermine that fundamental assumption and trust, and we cannot accept that.”

The ability to participate in our democracy is inseparable from the effort to end gun violence. Too often, our nation’s historic and systemic inequities mean that those most affected by gun violence are the least represented in the halls of power.

To rectify this, Brady, March For Our Lives, and Team ENOUGH have launched a nationwide campaign,#VotingAccessSavesLives, that provides concrete actions that Americans everywhere can take, as well as policy recommendations for elected officials to maximize the opportunity for all Americans to participate in our democracy if they so choose. These recommendations emphasize four key areas:

1. Vote-by-mail and absentee voting
2. Online and same-day voter registration
3. Early voting
4. Restoring voting rights to people with felony convictions

Brady will continue to activate until and through the November election.