A whistleblower is warning that errors in a U.S. Postal Service computer system could jeopardize mail-in voting in the November midterm elections, according to Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.
Blumenthal disclosed the allegations Monday in a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner, saying the whistleblower raised concerns about a system the Postal Service has been developing for use during the midterms.
According to the allegations, the Postal Service began developing the complex system around June 15 and has been working under a three-month timeline. The whistleblower said similar systems typically take a year or more to develop.
The allegations also raise questions about whether the Postal Service continued work on the system after a federal judge temporarily blocked an executive order from President Donald Trump seeking to limit voting by mail. The Trump administration has appealed the ruling.
Blumenthal said the whistleblower’s information suggests the Postal Service may have continued implementing the executive order despite the court’s directive to halt such work.
“The whistleblower’s allegations also provide disturbing information suggesting that USPS may have violated a court order by continuing to implement the EO despite being ordered to cease all such work,” Blumenthal wrote.
Blumenthal urged Steiner to abandon what he called an “ill-conceived, unconscionable plan” and ensure that Americans can exercise their right to vote by mail without interference from the Postal Service.
The allegations come as election officials prepare for the November midterms, when mail-in voting is expected to play a significant role in several states.
