A judge and Obama appointee is putting a stop to Postal Service changes that have hindered the delivery of mail across the nation.
Judge Stanley Bastian in Yakima, Washington, called the changes “a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service,” according to a report released by the Associated Press.
He revealed he is issuing a nationwide preliminary injunction after 14 states challenged the changes.
States challenged the “leave mail behind” policy, which permits carriers to leave mail at distribution centers if it delays their routes.
They also called on the agency to to treat mail-in ballots as First Class mail.
He added the changes created “a substantial possibility many voters will be disenfranchised.”
The announcement comes amid growing criticism of the agency and concerns over whether it will be able to handle the influx of election mail come November.
The Postal Service drew more backlash on Monday after election officials warned voters the agency was misleading them on how to vote on Nov. 3, as IJR previously reported.
A federal judge ordered the Postal Service to stop the delivery of postcards that allegedly contained “false or misleading information” about how to vote by mail.
“The intention of the mailer was to send a single set of recommendations that provided general guidance allowing voters who choose mail-in voting to do so successfully, regardless of where they live and where they vote,” spokeswoman Martha Johnson said.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has come under scrutiny following reports that he reimbursed his former employees for making political donations in 2016, as IJR previously reported.
House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney called for the suspension of DeJoy and announced an investigation into the report.
President Donald Trump said he would support an investigation into DeJoy’s involvement in campaign contributions.
“Let the investigations go,” Trump said.
