ROBERT E. LATTA WASHINGTON OFFICE: 5TH DISTRICT, OHIO 2467 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING [202} 225?5405 DEPUTY WHIP DISTRICT OFFICES: 1045 NORTH MAIN STREET COMWEEON (Hangman at the l?mteh Smitten ENERGY AND COMMERCE BOWLING GREEN, OH 43402 . (419} 354?8700 Summ, ltluuac uf Representatives COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY CLINTON STREET LEADER m??hingt?n. Em EH5 15?35?5 SUBCOMMIWEE ON ENERGY (419} 732?1996 313 DORNEY PLAZA ROOM 302 FINDLAY, OH 45840 August ll 7, 2020 (419}:1224791 ON CONSUMER PROTECTION AND COMMERCE The Honorable Louis DeJoy Postmaster General and Chief Executive Oflicer United States Postal Service 475 L?Enfant Plaza, SW Washington, DC. 20260 Dear Postmaster General DeJoy: Thank you for your leadership of the United States Postal Service (USPS) and for your commitment to maintaining a dialogue with Congress regarding service issues in each ofour districts. Today, we write to you to request the USPS implement procedures, in coordination with the State of Ohio, to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of election?related materials prior to the November elections. Over the past decade, the USPS has implemented plans to consolidate their operations across the State, which has resulted in the closure of several mail processing plants. The consequences of these efforts vary from district to district. For example, in Northwest Ohio, a new system was arranged where mail would be sent to the Michigan Metroplex for processing and sorting, before heading to its destination. Unfortunately, this process has created delays and added time to the delivery ofeach mail piece. In addition to delivery delays, there was an increase in complaints from constituents about lost or discarded mail, including absentee balloting materials. With the continued uncertainty created by the health crisis and the ongoing national discussions about the performance ofthe USPS, we urge you to work with Ohio Secretary of State Prank LaRose to implement procedures to protect Ohioans? constitutional right to vote. These procedures should include: 1) all-clear inspections of mail facilities to ensure all election-related materials are sent out; 2) more processing carried out within Ohio at local Post Offices or Ohio-based mail processing facilities; and 3) local USPS representatives building relationships with county boards of elections and establishing intakes/drop offs for election? related materials. These suggestions are based on the procedures that were implemented before the Ohio Primary Elections that were held this past spring. We appreciate your full and fair consideration ofthis request, consistent with applicable statutes and regulations, and look forward to working with you to ensure any issues with the delivery of mail this fall do not impede our constituents? right to vote. Thank you again for your continued leadership. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Sincerely, 2% {($422 Robert E. Latta Member of Congress Troy Balderson Member of Congress Steve Stivers Member of Congress ?x?azsb Brad R. Wenstrup, D.P.M. Member of Congress a, WM Bill Johnson Member of Congress mom Rob Portman United States Senator Member of (?on 6/ XML Bob Gibbs Member of Congress 5mm Steve Chabot Member of Congress Michael Turner Member of Congress