Biden proposes $5 billion to USPS to expand delivery capacity
The White House said on Monday it is proposing $5 billion to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to expand delivery capacity in underserved areas “and support for vote-by-mail, including making ballots postage free and reducing the cost of other election-related mail.” reports Reuters.
President Joe Biden said it is proposing $15 billion over 10 years in election assistance to states and to support vote-by-mail efforts.
The 2023 budget proposal calls for $10 billion in new assistance to states for election equipment and personnel and to “increase access and security.”
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, voting by mail jumped dramatically, with 46% of votes cast by mail in the November 2020 presidential election, up from 21% in the 2016 election, the USPS Inspector General said.
In the 2020 election, the Postal Service delivered more than 135 million ballots.
