The U.S. Postal Service has proposed sweeping new regulations that would significantly change how absentee and mail-in ballots are handled in federal elections, setting up a legal and political fight ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Under the proposal, state election officials would be required to provide USPS with lists of voters eligible to receive absentee or mail-in ballots, along with unique ballot-tracking barcode information. States that fail to comply could be denied ballot delivery services for federal elections.
The proposed rule stems from President Donald Trump’s March executive order aimed at tightening mail-in voting procedures. The administration argues the changes are necessary to improve election security and verify voter eligibility.
What the Proposal Would Do
According to the Federal Register notice, states would have to submit voter eligibility information and associated ballot barcode data to USPS before ballots are mailed. The Postal Service says the information would help ensure compliance with federal election requirements and aid law enforcement efforts when necessary.
The proposal would also expand USPS’ role in election administration beyond its traditional function of delivering ballots. Some election law observers note that the rule would effectively make the Postal Service a participant in voter verification and ballot-tracking systems rather than simply a mail carrier.
Public comments on the proposal will be accepted for 30 days before the rule can be finalized.
Civil Rights Groups Move to Block Rule
The proposal has already drawn legal challenges.
The NAACP and other voting-rights groups filed a motion in federal court seeking to block the rule, arguing it violates a 2021 settlement agreement that required USPS to prioritize election mail and take extraordinary measures to ensure ballots are delivered on time.
According to the lawsuit, the new regulations could create additional barriers for voters and potentially disenfranchise eligible Americans if states fail to satisfy the new requirements.
The White House has defended the proposal, arguing it is designed to improve election integrity and ensure that ballots are sent only to eligible voters.
States Weigh Their Options
Election officials in several states have expressed uncertainty about whether the proposal will survive court challenges. Some states are reviewing the rule but have indicated they are waiting to see how ongoing litigation unfolds before making changes to their election systems.
The proposal arrives as courts continue to consider challenges to Trump’s executive order, with multiple lawsuits arguing that election administration is primarily a state responsibility under the Constitution.
What Happens Next?
The USPS proposal remains in the rulemaking stage and has not yet taken effect. Before implementation, the agency must complete the public-comment process and address pending legal challenges.
If finalized, the rule would represent one of the most significant federal changes to mail-in voting procedures since the expansion of absentee voting during the COVID-19 era and could affect how millions of Americans receive and return ballots in federal elections.
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