Into Delivering an Election

<p>The US Postal Service reaches every corner of America – from cities to small towns. In the midst of a pandemic, postal carriers are still delivering the mail, ensuring that people can pay their bills, keep up to date on medication, and connect with loved ones – even as most of us stay home to stop the spread of coronavirus. </p><p>But for years, the post office has been in financial decline – over the last 11 years the service has lost $69 billion. Postmaster General Megan Brennan estimates that without government assistance, the office could run out of cash by the end of September. And on top of all this – the USPS will play a major role in the November election. Because of the pandemic, voting-by-mail is expected to be a popular choice come fall. But could a hamstrung postal service hurt the election process? </p><p>On this episode of Into America, Trymaine Lee sits down with NBC News Business Correspondent Stephanie Ruhle to understand the financial struggles facing the post office. Plus, a former deputy postmaster general gives an inside look at how the funding debate in Washington, DC could impact the election this fall. </p><p>For a transcript, please visit <a href="https://www.msnbc.com/intoamerica" target="_blank">https://www.msnbc.com/intoamerica</a>.</p><p><strong>Further reading: </strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/could-coronavirus-deal-fatal-blow-u-s-postal-service-n1183376" target="_blank">Could coronavirus deal a fatal blow to the U.S. Postal Service</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-appoint-top-republican-donor-lead-struggling-u-s-postal-n1201666" target="_blank">Top Republican donor tapped to lead struggling U.S. Postal Service</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-rants-about-fraud-here-s-secret-keeping-voting-mail-n1215256" target="_blank">Trump rants about fraud. But here's the secret to keeping voting by mail secure.</a></li></ul><p><br /></p>