AG Ferguson: Federal judge blocks ‘drastic operational changes’ by USPS

SEATTLE — A Washington State Federal Judge on Thursday blocked what Attorney General Bob Ferguson is calling “drastic operational” changes by the United States Postal Service.

Last week, Ferguson filed a preliminary injunction in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington to immediately halt the changes that he said would “threaten critical mail delivery nationwide.”

“Today’s victory protects a critical institution for our country,” Ferguson said. “Americans can now confidently vote by mail and have their voices heard.”

The preliminary injunction specifically sought the following:

• Immediately stop the Postal Service’s “leave mail behind” policy, where postal trucks are required to leave at specified times, regardless if there is mail still to be loaded.
• Require the Postal Service to continue its longstanding practice of treating all election mail as First Class mail, regardless of the paid postage.
• Require the Postal Service to replace, reassemble, or reconnect any removed mail-sorting machines that are needed to ensure timely processing and delivery of election mail.
• Require the Postal Service to abide by Postmaster General DeJoy’s commitment to suspend the recent policy changes that have affected mail service until after the election.

“This is a huge victory for our election system and Americans' access to the ballot box,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “I thank the Attorney General and his team for all their work on behalf of Washingtonians.”

Ferguson is helping to lead a coalition of 14 states that filed a lawsuit over the changes to the USPS that were put in place on Aug. 18. The changes include eliminating or reducing staff overtime, halting outgoing mail processing at state distribution centers and removing critical mail sorting equipment.

Included in the coalition are battleground states in the 2020 election including Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin.

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Cox Media Group