ATLANTA — Although the United States Postal Service has been improving its performance in Georgia after mail delays plagued the Peach State, recently released data further highlights the severe dip in service Georgians experienced earlier this year.
Numbers fell after the Postal Service launched the new regional processing and distribution center in Palmetto in late February, part of the 10-year "Delivering for America" plan intended to streamline services and save money.
The consolidation of four regional facilities into a mega one subsequently led to significant delays in Georgia, a scenario which plays out in the latest data published by the Postal Regulatory Commission for the third fiscal quarter. During Q3, which covers April to June of 2024, Georgia remained the worst in the nation for First-Class two-day delivery of letters and postcards, dropping to a 40% score.
Such numbers show a further dive in service from the second quarter, where Georgia was also the worst in the country with a 63.7% on-time score for that same category. The drops parallel the delays stemming from the Palmetto facility during that time period.
Sen. Ossoff recently highlighted the second quarter numbers in a letter to an IRS commissioner in response to concerns residents are facing tax penalties following the well-documented mail delays in Georgia. In that letter, Ossoff called Georgia’s numbers the “worst of any state.”
11Alive has been investigating issues tied to the regional processing and distribution center for nearly six months, following more than 3,000 complaints from viewers seeking answers about missing and delayed mail and packages, particularly items carrying essential medications, tax documents and more.
As mail delays continue, lawmakers are concerned that absentee ballots may not arrive and get delivered on time for the crucial general election.
Last month, Sen. Raphael Warnock sent a letter asking Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to answer questions about the postal service's plans for mail-in ballots and the 2024 election cycle. A recent report from the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General found a "lack of preparation for election processes" earlier this year, ahead of the presidential primaries.
Georgia Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger advised voters Monday to request an absentee ballot early.
August 3 data, the latest published by USPS its service dashboard, indicates Georgia's on-time rate for First-Class two-day letters and postcards has now rebounded to 66.69% on-time delivery. However, Georgia's score for the same period last year was 90%, while the target score is 93% on-time delivery for that category.
11Alive has continued to ask the Postal Service about ongoing solutions to improve service in Georgia and whether the agency has a timeline for service in the state to be back to normal. USPS has not responded to our latest questions as of Friday morning.
