USPS processed over 305,000 ballots on Nov. 4

According to data submitted Thursday in federal court filings, the United States Postal Service processed 305,184 ballots the day after Election Day.

In analyzing the data, 3.8% of the ballot – or 11,676 ballots – were processed in states where ballots are not accepted if they arrive after Election Day.

This data does not tell us if the ballots were postmarked by or on Election Day, or if they were delivered yesterday.

The overwhelming majority of the ballots processed on Wednesday were in California. Those ballots, if properly postmarked, are counted if they arrive by November 20.

These figures do not include ballots being returned through what USPS calls “local turnaround.” That’s the process USPS says some post offices have implemented, where ballots are being delivered directly to local boards of election – they are postmarked, but don’t go through normal mail processing.

They also do not include data on ballots that don’t have barcodes.

USPS has reiterated that the delays are largely due to staffing shortages due to Covid-19.

To fix the issues, USPS has provided “multiple layers of operational oversight,” is coordinating closely with the USPS inspector general, and has been holding daily troubleshooting calls with problem areas.