The Independent View: States to Sue to Block Reducing Postal Service Ahead of Election

So far, Seven States are Preparing Lawsuits against the Trump Administration to Block Reductions to the USPS Ahead of the November 3rd Presidential Elections: Massachusetts; Minnesota; New York; North Carolina; Pennsylvania; Virginia; and Washington.

Their Aims are to Prevent Operational Changes or Funding Lapses that could affect the forthcoming Presidential Election.

One of the States, in question has a Republican Governor, Charlie Baker of Massachusetts.

Two of the States, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, Voted for Trump in 2016.

Mark R. Herring, the Attorney General of Virginia, said: "We are going to make sure that every American's vote counts this fall, whether cast by mail or in person. My colleagues and I are working as we speak to determine what Trump and [US Postmaster General Louis] DeJoy are doing, whether they have already violated or are likely to violate any laws, and what tools we have at our disposal to put a stop to President Trump's ongoing attack on our Postal Service and our democracy."

Minnesota, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, are all considered Swing States, whose Vote will be Pivotal in this year's Presidential Race.

The move comes amid Growing Criticism of Trump's Opposition to Extra Funding to the U.S. Postal Service, and Changes made by DeJoy that have Reduced the Capacity of the Service to Efficiently Process Mail.

Both Democratic and Republican Lawmakers have Urged Voters to consider Voting-by-Mail to Avoid the Risk of Worsening the Coronavirus Pandemic by In-Person Voting, which often involves Long Lines.

At the same time, DeJoy's Position atop the USPS has come under fierce Scrutiny, by the GAO and Inspector General, following a String of Controversial Moves, such as Adjusting Delivery Policies and Reassigning or Displacing nearly Two Dozen Postal Executives, including the Pair of Officials In-Charge of Day-to-Day Operations. The Moves come before an Election that is Expected to see a Spike in Mail-in-Voting over the Pandemic.

DeJoy has also faced Questions over Reports that he's Retained at least a $30 Million Equity Stake in his Former Company, which is a USPS Contractor, and that he recently bought Stocks in Amazon, a Top USPS Competitor. His wife is also the Majority Owner of another USPS Contractor.