USPS Publishes Final Rule to Restrict Mail-In Ballots
The U.S. Postal Service published a 95-page final rule Aug. 21 requiring states to share mail-in voter data with the agency or forfeit ballot delivery. The rule is blocked by two federal injunctions and will not be implemented unless courts lift them.
- States must submit voter names and unique barcodes tied to each mail ballot.
- 90-day advance notice and 60-day voter lists are required under the rule.
- USPS will not collect party affiliation or open sealed ballot envelopes.
- Two injunctions — issued June 25 and Aug. 11 — currently block enforcement.
Why it matters: The rule stems from an executive order Trump signed March 31 directing USPS to condition ballot delivery on state compliance with federal voter-list requirements.
- November elections will determine control of Congress; states would have weeks to comply if the rule survives legal challenge.
- Many states and congressional Democrats argue USPS lacks authority to set binding mail-voting rules this close to an election.
How 14 sources split on this story
Where they split: The core dispute is whether USPS has legal authority to condition ballot delivery on state data-sharing, or whether that power belongs exclusively to states and localities.
Center coverage, 5 sources: The center covers the rule procedurally, detailing what USPS would and would not do under the new standards and quoting both sides' legal and administrative arguments.
USA Today19hUSPS issues rules to block mail-in ballots if states don't provide listsTNDThe National Desk5hUSPS publishes new rule requiring states to submit voter data before mailing ballots
Newsweek7hHow US voting looks under Trump's finalized election plans
Reuters21hUS postal service issues rules to tighten mail-in voting if court gives OK
The Hill2hUS Postal Service issues rule to tighten requirements for mail-in voting despite courts looking to blockLeft coverage, 4 sources: The left frames the rule as an attempt to restrict a widely used voting method in the final stretch before a consequential election, noting Trump has cast his own ballots by mail.
MSNBC7hPostal Service issues ‘final order’ to restrict mail-in voting
Political Wire23hPostal Service Publishes Plan to Restrict Mail Ballots
Al Jazeera1hUS Postal Service shares mail-in ballot restrictions despite court ruling
The New York Times20hPostal Service Publishes Finalized Plan to Restrict Mail BallotsRight coverage, 5 sources: The right frames the rule as a straightforward election-integrity measure matching ballots sent to lists states themselves compiled, blocked prematurely by a single district judge.
Fox News8hUSPS publishes rule to block mail-in ballots from states that don't provide voter lists
The Epoch Times22hUSPS Finalizes New Requirements for States Using Mail-In Ballots
Just the News4hUSPS finalizes rule requiring states to provide voter lists for mail-in ballots
NTD2hUSPS Finalizes New Requirements for States Using Mail-In Ballots
WND5hSecurity: USPS publishing rule requiring voter lists from states, or else * WorldNetDaily * by Bob UnruhWhat’s next: The Supreme Court could act on the administration's emergency request at any time.
- The rule publishes formally Aug. 26; mail ballots typically begin going out in September.
- Will the Supreme Court lift the injunctions before states must begin mailing ballots?
- How many states would comply with the data-sharing requirement if the rule takes effect?