Postal Worker in Hot Water After Political Mailers Found Discarded

United States Post Office sign on brick building.

A USPS worker is at the center of a controversy after allegedly discarding 300 political mailers for New Jersey’s election.

At a Glance

  • USPS worker allegedly dumped 300 political mailers supporting Rep. Tom Kean Jr.
  • Footage shows the incident at a Pennsylvania Shop-Rite.
  • Mail intended for voters in a Republican area of New Jersey.
  • Incident highlights concerns regarding election mail integrity.

Controversy in New Jersey Elections

A United States Postal Service employee is under investigation for allegedly disposing of approximately 300 political mailers supporting Republican representative Tom Kean Jr. These mailers, meant for voters in the competitive 7th Congressional District, were found tossed in a dumpster in Pennsylvania. Surveillance footage recorded at a Shop-Rite venue in Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania, revealed the act, leading to immediate reports made to USPS investigators.

The mail pieces were specifically intended for the Succasunna area of New Jersey, a region known for its significant Republican alignment. The discovery comes at a crucial time as Rep. Kean Jr., engaged in a closely contested race against Democratic challenger Sue Altman, emphasizes the critical role of these communications in securing his reelection bid. His campaign expressed concern, especially given Kean’s narrow lead reflected in recent polling data.

Investigation and Response

The New Jersey Globe documented and shared the surveillance video, which was pivotal in sparking response from concerned parties and authorities. Security personnel highlighted the identification of the postal worker’s vehicle via a Pennsylvania license plate; the vehicle was observed at the Shop-Rite location where the mailers were discarded. In light of the incident, the U.S. Postal Service has escalated the situation by referring it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and its Office of Inspector General for further investigation.

The postal worker involved has been relieved from her duties as the investigation continues. This occurrence follows a related incident from 2020, where another postal worker in New Jersey pleaded guilty to improper postal conduct involving vote-by-mail ballots. Recent developments demand stringent measures to safeguard election-related correspondence and ensure accountability within postal operations.

Political and Public Impact

Rep. Thomas Kean Jr., vocal about securing election processes, described the incident as deeply concerning. He affirmed his faith in mail voting’s legitimacy while emphasizing transparency and swift action from USPS in addressing the alleged misconduct. The importance of maintaining democratic values and protecting electoral integrity remains a focal point as the election approaches.

“I believe in the security of our elections and voting by mail, but this incident is deeply troubling. I hope the USPS acts swiftly to resolve whatever crimes have been committed, and I urge them to be open and transparent about the specifics of this incident. Protecting the integrity of our democracy is imperative.” – Kean

The case illustrates broader concerns surrounding election mail service and potential vulnerabilities in the system. As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders, including USPS and election officials, are likely to reassess protocols ensuring the reliability and safety of political communications integral to democratic functions.

Sources

1. Postal worker tosses 300 pro-NJ Rep. Tom Kean Jr. election mailers in dumpster: ‘We saw her’

2. N.J. congressman mailers dumped by USPS worker at Pennsylvania Shop-Rite

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