U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) on Sept. 21 introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at increasing transparency of mail-in ballots handled by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
“Our bipartisan legislation will ensure that every mail-in ballot is up to USPS’s standards, able to be tracked, and marked as official election mail,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said.
The Vote By Mail Tracking Act, H.R. 5658, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) and seven original cosponsors, including Rep. Fitzpatrick and U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), would require ballots to include USPS tracking barcodes and an official logo to certify authenticity.
“Americans’ faith in our electoral system is foundational to our democracy, and we must do everything possible to restore and maintain confidence in that institution,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “I am proud to lead this initiative to further guarantee the integrity of all our elections.”
If enacted, H.R. 5658 would help voters track their ballots and each mail-in ballot envelope also would be required to meet USPS design requirements and standards for machinable letters, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Fitzpatrick’s staff.
“Improving efficiency and transparency in our elections is good for all Americans,” Rep. Porter said, adding that H.R. 5658 would help “the Postal Service process votes and give voters the ability to see that their ballots are securely delivered and counted.”