Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold on Saturday sued the U.S. Postal Service, accusing the agency of attempting voter suppression through an informational postcard it’s sending to voters about how to cast their ballots through the mail.
Griswold, a Democrat, says the postcard presents false information in the four bullet points included on the flyer, including telling Colorado voters they must request a mail-in ballot.
That’s not the case. Under Colorado’s universal mail-in ballot system, every registered voter receives a ballot in the mail. There is no need to request a ballot.
“These false statements will confuse Colorado voters, likely causing otherwise-eligible voters to wrongly believe that they may not participate in the upcoming election,” the lawsuit says. “This attempt at voter suppression violates the United States Constitution and federal statutes and must be stopped immediately.”
The legal action, filed in federal court, asks that the Postal Service be barred from continuing to deliver the postcards to Colorado voters. It lists Louis DeJoy, the controversial Postmaster General appointed by President Donald Trump, and the regional postmasters for Denver and Albuquerque, as defendants. (Mail delivered to the Four Corners region of Colorado is routed through Albuquerque.)
Some of the postcards have already been received by Colorado voters, including some in Larimer and Denver counties.
In addition to the guidance that Colorado voters must request a mail-in ballot, Griswold’s office also takes issue with a recommendation that voters mail back their ballots at least a week before Election Day. That’s guidance the Secretary of State’s Office normally gives, but Griswold fears it may lead people to believe they must mail their ballot back in.
Ballots will start being mailed to Coloradans on Oct. 9.
Read more at The Colorado SunThe Colorado Sun is a reader-supported, journalist-owned news outlet exploring issues of statewide interest. Sign up for a newsletter and read more at coloradosun.com.