Post office ballot turmoil shows how feds, Texas lawmakers have failed voters

In the politically charged saga over the post office and the possible effects on the November election, two long-running public policy problems are at work.

First, the U.S. Postal Service is grappling with decades of decline as the internet makes traditional mail increasingly obsolete. It has faced deficits and cut service for years, and there’s more to be done.

Second, Texas lawmakers have done little to make voting more accessible. At a time when everything from listening to music to getting prescriptions filled has become easier, our leaders have focused more on barely existent fraud than expanding mail-in voting or other convenient options.

So, here and elsewhere, there’s a real concern that votes could go uncounted because the post office can’t or won’t get ballots delivered and returned in time.

Thankfully, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said Tuesday that further planned changes such as taking sorting machines offline or curtailing overtime are suspended until after Election Day. But voters should still do everything they can to ensure their ballots count.

First and foremost, vote in person, if you can. That removes several potential barriers to your vote counting — not just the postal service but also the whims of election judges who evaluate your signature on the ballot application and return envelope.

Going to a polling place may seem like a bad idea in the coronavirus era, but there’s reason to believe it’s safe for those who are not particularly vulnerable to the virus. For one, Gov. Greg Abbott extended early voting to three weeks before Election Day, making it much easier to find a polling place that’s not jam-packed with people.

County officials have also now had an opportunity to learn and implement lessons from last month’s primary runoffs. Plus, we’ve all learned more about the virus and how to combat it. In the early days of the pandemic, so much focus was placed on cleaning surfaces. That’s still a good idea, but we now understand we must pay more attention to masks and distancing from other people.

As Dr. Anthony Fauci said last week, the risk of getting the virus while voting is comparable to other must-do errands, such as grocery shopping.

Those at higher risk, such as the elderly and people with diabetes, high blood pressure and other underlying health conditions, can also take advantage of curbside voting. But be warned: It can take a while.

Those who must take advantage of mail-in voting should take steps now to ensure their ballots count. If you haven’t sent in an application yet, do so immediately. Snap a cell-phone picture of your signature so you can make sure to match it when you send in the ballot.

When your ballot arrives, fill it out as early as possible and mail it with ample time to spare. Ballots generally must arrive by Election Day, but don’t cut any corners. If you’re willing and able, consider delivering it in person to the county elections office.

And if you’re relatively young and healthy, consider serving as a poll worker. With high turnout likely and the challenges presented by the pandemic, more workers will help ensure a smooth election for everyone. This civic service is typically fulfilled the elderly, but if more opt out because of health concerns, polls could move slowly on Election Day.

With any luck, we’ll avoid an electoral disaster in which voters lose their voice because of problems with the mail service. And either way, Texas lawmakers need to take steps to make voting easier in many ways, including more availability of mail ballots.

For now, though, voters will need to take a little extra responsibility for their ballot. Vote early in person if you can. Or vote by mail if you must, but get it done early and right.