USPS Whistleblower Warns Flawed System Could Jeopardise Mail Voting

An unnamed whistleblower, cited in a statement released on Tuesday by Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, has warned that the US Postal Service is poised to launch a hastily built, error-riddled computer system that could jeopardise the mail voting process relied upon by one-third of all voters. The disclosure contends that the Postal Service has been scrambling to build a complex system — one that would ordinarily require a year or more to develop — in only three months, sometimes, according to the whistleblower, in defiance of court orders halting the work.

Voting system concerns

The whistleblower's statement contends that, owing to the new procedures, a single scanning error in a batch of tens of thousands of ballot envelopes could prevent any of them from reaching voters. The goal, the disclosure says, is to have the system ready for use in the midterm elections.

The effort is part of the implementation of President Donald Trump's executive order limiting mail voting. A federal judge has temporarily halted the order, though the administration is appealing that ruling, and the matter may ultimately return before the US Supreme Court. The Postal Service issued a statement on Tuesday evening in response to Senator Blumenthal's letter, pledging to work with Congress and the courts. It noted that the judge who issued the latest restraining order explicitly allowed the service to continue developing its online tool for states that wish to use it voluntarily. "Regardless of political party or perspective, we share a common goal: ensuring that Americans can have confidence that their election mail will be handled securely and delivered reliably," the Postal Service said.

US-Canada trade row

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney sharpened his rhetoric towards Washington on Tuesday, telling the Trump administration to "stop doing memes, stop throwing shade and stop trying to be tough." As reported in Carney's earlier exchanges with the Trump administration over trade, the Canadian leader said talks could resume if Washington became serious about negotiations. He also accused the United States of pursuing terms that, he said, could leave Canadian industries "gradually wound down in Canada and wiped out." Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent responded on Fox News, claiming Carney had received a "verbal beatdown" from him and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Bessent added: "Well, he was the one who said we were at war."

Iran strikes Gulf allies

Iran launched fresh attacks on US allies in the Gulf in the early hours of Wednesday. An Iranian drone attack sparked a blaze in Kuwait City, while Bahrain intercepted incoming drones. The strikes followed a night of American bombardment that included, according to AP News, a deadly strike on a wedding party. The latest violence ended a monthlong lull in fighting between the US and Iran. The conflict has led to a spike in oil prices, roiled the global economy, and is described as posing increasing political problems for Trump's Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections.