Key facts
- The U.S. Postal Service has implemented new requirements for mail-in voting.
- The rule mandates that states provide USPS with lists of voters who received mailed ballots.
- USPS will not deliver ballots in non-compliant states if the rule takes effect.
- The changes were published late Friday and are scheduled for formal publication on August 26.
- A federal judge had previously blocked these rules from taking effect.
The U.S. Postal Service announced on Thursday that new requirements for mail-in voting are now in effect, despite ongoing court challenges. The final rule, published late Friday and scheduled for formal publication on August 26, aims to tighten standards for mail-in ballots ahead of the November congressional elections.
Under the rule, USPS will not deliver ballots in states that do not comply with the new standards, should the rule ultimately take effect. The requirements include states providing USPS with lists of voters who received mailed ballots, along with unique barcodes for ballot envelopes. USPS stated it will help determine adherence to federal law and facilitate law enforcement efforts.
This move comes after U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston had previously blocked USPS from adopting these rules, which were ordered by President Donald Trump. Trump, a Republican, signed an executive order in March calling for tighter rules on voting by mail, citing unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election.
Despite the existing injunctions, the Trump administration is proceeding with plans that could disrupt mail-in votes. The USPS acknowledged the court orders but indicated readiness to implement the restrictions if the injunctions are lifted. The agency received over 200,000 responses during the public comment period for the proposed rule change. Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias criticized the USPS for "caving to Trump" and questioned the regulation's legal rationale.