Key facts
- The U.S. Postal Service has published a final rule to tighten requirements for mail-in voting.
- The rule requires states to provide lists of voters and unique barcodes for mailed ballots to USPS.
The U.S. Postal Service has published a final rule to tighten requirements for mail-in voting, aiming for immediate effect if a court lifts injunctions. The rule mandates states provide voter lists and unique barcodes for mailed ballots, a move criticized by Democrats.
The U.S. Postal Service's final rule on mail-in voting could significantly impact election administration and access to voting, particularly as it aims to take effect for the upcoming November congressional elections, pending court approval.
The U.S. Postal Service has issued a final rule designed to tighten requirements for mail-in voting, with the intention of having it take effect immediately should a court lift existing injunctions. The rule, published late Friday and set for formal publication on August 26, mandates that states provide USPS with lists of voters who received mailed ballots and apply unique barcodes to both outbound and return ballot envelopes.
This move comes despite a U.S. District Judge in Boston, Indira Talwani, having previously blocked the USPS from adopting these rules, which were initially ordered by President Donald Trump. Trump, a Republican, had pushed for stricter mail-in voting regulations, citing unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.
USPS stated that the rule would not be implemented unless the court injunctions are lifted. The agency defended the plan, with Postmaster General David Steiner explaining in June that it would ensure "we match the ballots that a state believes they're sending out to what actually gets sent out." The Postal Service also indicated the rule would help determine adherence to federal law and aid law enforcement efforts.
However, many states and Democrats in Congress have contested USPS's authority to implement such changes, particularly so close to the November elections. Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias criticized the USPS, stating the agency had "caved to Trump" regarding the regulation and its legal basis.