With MA Mail-In Ballots Threatened, State Mulls Suing White House

Attorney General Maura Healey has discussed a lawsuit to curtail the Trump administration’s efforts to undercut mail-in voting.

By Mike Carraggi, Patch Staff
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Aug 17, 2020 8:03 am ET

USPS warns states it can’t guarantee delayed mail-in ballots will be counted. (Damairs Carter/MediaPunch/MediaPunch/IPx)

Massachusetts’s attorney general is speaking to her counterparts in other states about possibly filing a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration’s attempt to withhold funding for the U.S. Postal Service ahead of mail-in voting for the presidential election.

The Washington Post reported Massachusetts was joined in the discussion by Virginia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, North Carolina, Washington, and possibly other states.

Attorney General Maura Healey said in a statement to CNN Sunday it’s about protecting the vote.

“We will not be deterred by Donald Trump’s blatant attempts to undermine the integrity of our elections,” she said. “We are exploring all options available to ensure everyone’s vote is counted.”

She echoed her comments in a tweet late last week: “America begins with the integrity of our elections. Everyone—regardless of party—should be fighting for a fair, safe election. We must ensure @USPS can manage the increase in mail-in ballots. I will use every tool I have to make sure your vote is counted.”

On Sunday night, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was calling the House back to session to vote on a bill that would protect the USPS. Her announcement came on the heels of USPS’ warning that millions of mail-in ballots — including those in Massachusetts — may not be counted due to delays caused by recent cutbacks.

Louis DeJoy, the new head of the USPS, has been a major donor to the Republican Party and President Trump. He has presided over a seismic shakeup of the organization, including the removal of mail-sorting machines across the country.

Trump has made accusations of mail-in voter fraud a rallying cry. Critics say it’s an attempt to delegitimize the election as he trails in most major polls.