Postal Service Proposes Controversial Mail-In Ballot Rules
The proposal would require voter names, addresses and barcode data as USPS says it needs to track mailed and returned ballots.
- On Friday, the Postal Service proposed new rules requiring states to submit voter-level data and unique barcodes for all mail-in ballots in federal elections, one day after a federal judge declined to block President Donald Trump's executive order tightening mail-in voting procedures.
- President Trump signed the executive order on March 31 directing the Postal Service to propose rules within 60 days to confirm voter citizenship. District Judge Carl Nichols refused to block the policy on Thursday, finding no current harm because agencies had not yet implemented new rules.
- Using the submitted data, the Postal Service will create state-specific "Mail-In and Absentee Participation Lists" through a new Federal Ballot Mail Portal. The agency states the barcode requirement will "help determine adherence to federal law and facilitate law enforcement efforts."
- Critics, including Alexandra Chandler of Project Democracy, called the policy a "data grab and a set-up for post-election disruption." Chandler alleged the administration is building federal election infrastructure without legal authority to do so.
- Publication in the Federal Register on June 2 will trigger a 30-day public-comment period for the proposal. Democratic attorneys general have a separate hearing scheduled for Tuesday in Boston to challenge the executive order.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Postal Service Proposes Controversial Mail-In Ballot Rules
The U.S. Postal Service has proposed new rules requiring states to provide lists of voters who received mail-in ballots, following an executive order from Trump. The proposal demands names and barcodes of federal election ballots, excluding primaries. The public has 30 days to comment before finalization.
Postal Service is moving to make states comply with Trump’s mail-in voting order
The U.S. Postal Service on May 29, 2026 proposed a rule to carry out President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting voting by mail. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)The U.S. Postal Service on Friday took its first major step to carry out President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting voting by mail, proposing a rule that would require states to submit lists of voters before mailing ballots. But the proposed rule appears to smoot…
Arizona Mirror
Nevada CurrentUSPS moves to implement Trump mail voting order, would require states to share voter lists
The U.S. Postal Service on May 29, 2026 proposed a rule to carry out President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting voting by mail. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)The U.S. Postal Service on Friday took its first major step to carry out President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting voting by mail, proposing a rule that would require states to submit lists of voters before mailing ballots. But the proposed rule appears to smoot…
Louisiana Illuminator
Trump ordered limits on voting by mail. The Postal Service is moving to make states comply.
The U.S. Postal Service on May 29, 2026 proposed a rule to carry out President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting voting by mail. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)The U.S. Postal Service on Friday took its first major step to carry out President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting voting by mail, proposing a rule that would require states to submit lists of voters before mailing ballots. But the proposed rule appears to smoot…
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