Rally Held At Cranford Post Office (PHOTOS)

CRANFORD, NJ — A small rally was held at the Cranford post office at 3 Miln St. at noon on Tuesday. It was part of a National Day of Action sponsored in part by the APWU, American Postal Workers' Union: https://usmailnotforsale.org/

Earlier this month, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said that every registered New Jersey voter will be mailed a ballot several weeks before the presidential election, and should get it in by late October. They can vote in person too, but the vote-by-mail option is an attempt to avoid the spread of coronavirus. (Read more: Here's How NJ's Mail-In General Election Will Work.)

Many voters were concerned about how recent slowdowns at the post office will affect their votes.

Recently, the new postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, eliminated overtime for most postal workers, reduced the quantity and use of mail-processing equipment, and restricted transportation. People have reported mailboxes being removed from the street. DeJoy said the measures were an effort to make the money-losing agency more efficient, but they seemed to come at an odd time, 11 weeks before the presidential election.

Last Tuesday, DeJoy's office announced it will halt future changes until after the election, but not all of the measures were reversed. Some postal workers took action to get high-speed sorting machines up and running again, in defiance of orders.

The above photos were taken by local photographer Anastasia Caulfield. (Check out her work on the web here).

Caulfield noted, "Residents chanted to secure their vote, reverse mail delays, and pass a $25 billion emergency relief bill. A decline in revenue will mean that the Post Office will run out of money. Protesters are looking to fellow residents to call congress at 833-924-0085. "

Pres. Donald Trump is currently suing the state of New Jersey regarding the option of voting by mail.

"We are worried that the November 3rd election will be in jeopardy, because many voters don't want to risk going to the polls during the pandemic, and have been planning to vote by mail," said local resident Mary Heller, who helped organize the rally.

Attendees were asked to observe pandemic protocols (social distancing, wearing a mask).

A week ago Friday, another local group, SOMA action, held a rally at the Maplewood post office.

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