For decades, an idiosyncrasy in the mail delivery system has forced some rural northern Missouri residents to have Iowa mailing addresses, which has created roadblocks and red tape for residents when they vote or pay taxes — even when they die. Local officials have been asking for help for years from local politicians and postal officials to no avail. U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill recently learned about the quirk, calling it “one of the dumbest things I’ve come across.” McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat, sent a letter this week to Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan, asking that the U.S. Postal Service “take immediate action” on behalf of Missouri residents who have Iowa mailing addresses. Brennan’s spokesman David Partenheimer said in a statement this week that his agency is “working with the senator to address this issue and will respond directly to her office.” He declined further comment.
The exact number of affected residents is unknown, though one county has more than two dozen misaddressed residents. Also unclear is why Missouri residents were assigned Iowa postal addresses in the first place. McCaskill’s letter said it appears to have something to do with mail delivery routes along the sparsely populated area where the two states come together, though local residents were never given a good explanation.
In Missouri’s Clark County, some residents launched a petition drive this summer to get address changes because the county of 6,700 residents is adopting a new 911 system and accurate addresses are crucial, said Jena Church, the county clerk.
The quirk also makes voter registration difficult because Iowa addresses aren’t recognized in Missouri’s voting system.
Full Article: Mailing Quirk Has Missouri Residents With Iowa Addresses | Missouri News | US News.