The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced the suspension of international mail services to many foreign countries, however Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill on Thursday confirmed that eligible uniformed and overseas voters registered in the state will still be able to vote through the use of the Alabama electronic ballot delivery and return system.

USPS has issued separate lists of suspended countries for both international mail and Global Express Guarantee.

However, Merrill in a statement advised that the use of electronic balloting for military members and overseas citizens has provided Alabama voters the ability to vote in a timely and convenient manner every election — and this will not change during the ongoing pandemic.

“I am honored to remind the residents of our state that Alabama was the first state in the union to allow for electronic ballot delivery and electronic ballot return,” he stated.

“Alabama has provided and will continue to provide the opportunity for voters eligible to cast their ballots pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to continue to participate in the electoral process despite this suspension,” Merrill concluded. “The men and women who are serving and protecting us overseas deserve uninterrupted access to their electoral rights, and we owe it to them to ensure that their voice is heard and their votes are counted!”

Alabama’s primary runoff will be held July 14.

RELATED: Merrill: Absentee balloting still an option for runoff voters concerned about coronavirus

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn