Internal USPS documents raise questions about effectiveness of sorting machine removal order

Internal USPS planning documents obtained by CNN indicate that nearly 95 percent of the mail sorting machines that had been set up for retirement in the past few months were already scheduled to be decommissioned.

Documents from June, obtained by CNN, show that the USPS planned to remove 502 DBCS (Delivery Barcode Sorter) machines, or 13.2% of its total inventory by September 30. These machines make up the bulk of the USPS mail sorting operation. They sort the envelope mail, which would include the ballots en route to voters. However, nearly 95%, or 475, of those were due to be removed by the end of July according to the documents.

It is not known how many machines the USPS has actually removed at this point. CNN has contacted the USPS to confirm whether this plan has been followed and what the current number of such machines is nationwide. However, union officials across the United States have confirmed to CNN that a number of these machines, along with other mail sorting machines, have been or are in the process of being retired.

Meanwhile, CNN obtained photos from a source with knowledge of the machines withdrawal showing a disassembled DBCS machine. The majority of the machine is scrapped; some will remain used by the USPS.

CNN previously reported that union officials said the destination of each removed machine varies. Some are completely scrapped while some are transferred to other facilities.