The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced its decision to proceed with its plan to reroute mail processing from Reno, Nevada, to Sacramento, California. The move has drawn bipartisan criticism from Nevada lawmakers, who have raised concerns about potential delays in the processing of mail ballots, especially in a crucial swing state.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has defended the decision as a cost-saving measure, but federal, state, and local lawmakers have complained about a lack of transparency in the process and have expressed concerns that the rerouting could slow mail delivery throughout the region. Under the new plan, all mail from the Reno area will be transported to Sacramento for processing before being delivered to its intended destinations, including within Reno itself.
Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar has warned that the move could delay the processing of mail ballots and potentially disenfranchise thousands of voters, potentially impacting the results of elections in the state. In its statement, the USPS has claimed that the decision to relocate the processing center to California is supported by a business case, as the majority of mail processed in Reno is destined for other locations.
The Reno facility will continue to operate as a mail preparation center, with the USPS investing $13.4 million in renovations, according to the agency. USPS spokesperson Rod Spurgeon emphasized the plan’s alignment with the organization’s goals of financial sustainability and improved service reliability.
Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen, a vocal opponent of the restructuring, had previously reported that USPS officials had indicated plans to begin the rerouting after the 2024 election. However, Spurgeon clarified in a statement that there is no set date for implementation.
Lawmakers have expressed concerns that mail delivery could be affected by traffic delays, particularly during inclement weather conditions, as the round-trip drive between Reno and Sacramento over the Sierra Nevada takes approximately an hour. The area is also prone to severe blizzards, including one in March that dumped up to 10 feet of snow, further supporting the criticism of the move.
Nevada’s congressional delegation, including Senators Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto and Representative Mark Amodei, have sent a letter to the USPS expressing their opposition. Other objections have come from Republican Governor Joe Lombardo and the Washoe County Commission, which includes Reno. Following the announcement, Senator Rosen expressed outrage and vowed to continue fighting against the decision.
Governor Lombardo has also stated that his administration will continue to advocate for efficient mail services for Nevadans, opposing mismanagement in Washington. Stern, a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, will continue to follow the developments of this story.
