USPS Proposes Stricter Mail-In Voting Rules as Courts Block Enforcement

The US Postal Service filed a final rule on Friday imposing new requirements on states to submit voter information to the federal government ahead of the November congressional elections. The rule faces two active court injunctions from federal courts in California and Massachusetts that currently block its implementation.

According to the rule, the requirements stem from a March executive order signed by former President Donald Trump, which directs federal agencies to ensure only eligible citizens receive mail-in ballots. Under the order, states would need to provide voter lists to the Department of Homeland Security, and the USPS would condition delivery on compliance.

The federal government has sued 30 states and Washington, D.C., for refusing to hand over lists of eligible voters. Despite these legal challenges, the administration continues pursuing policies aimed at restricting mail-in voting.

If court injunctions are lifted, the USPS says it would immediately begin enforcing the new standards, giving election officials time to prepare Federal Ballot Mail envelopes and submit data to the Federal Ballot Mail Portal before mail-in and absentee ballots are mailed—typically in September or later, as determined by state law.

The rule states that the Portal’s verification system will activate when the system of records (SOR) governing the Portal is published.

The USPS received more than 200,000 responses during the public comment period on the proposed rule. Notably, President Trump has voted by mail himself, including in Florida’s Republican primary this year, which was at least the third time he has mailed in his ballot.

Source link