10 things you need to know today: August 15, 2020

Postal Service warns delays could prevent votes from being counted in 46 states, Obama accuses Trump of trying to 'actively kneecap' USPS ahead of election, and more

A postal vehicles sits in front of a United State Postal Service facility on August 13, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

1. Postal Service warns delays could prevent votes from being counted in 46 states

The United States Postal Service is warning that delays could prevent voters' mail-in ballots from being counted this November in almost every state. The USPS reportedly "sent detailed letters to 46 states and D.C. warning that it cannot guarantee all ballots cast by mail for the November election will arrive in time to be counted." Initial reports found the warning had affected Pennsylvania voters, but the issues with mail processing capacities are apparently widespread. Michigan and Florida, two other crucial swing states, also received the warning their deadlines are "incongruous" with how quickly USPS can deliver ballots to election officials. Officials in Pennsylvania are trying to move the deadline for counting mail-in votes, but in many other states, deadlines cannot be adjusted.

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Tim O'Donnell

Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.