The US Postal Service (USPS) unveiled new rules tightening mail-in voting requirements, aligning with President Donald Trump‘s blocked March executive order despite a federal court striking down the original mandate weeks earlier.
The USPS published a 95-page final rule on Friday that is scheduled for formal publication in the Federal Register on Aug. 26. The report explains how the agency plans to distribute mail-in ballots for November’s midterm elections. However, the plan is currently on hold while litigation over Trump’s order is still ongoing.
The rules closely follow Trump’s blocked mandate. They require states to provide lists of eligible voters using citizenship data at least 60 days before the Nov. 3 election. USPS would send ballots to residents only after receiving those lists.
In June, Postmaster General David Steiner told senators the policy would ensure “the right ballots are going to the right people.”
Court Ruling Complicates Rollout
In August, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani blocked nationwide enforcement of the order, warning it would cause “confusion” and “chaos” so close to the election. The Trump administration has already asked the Supreme Court to revive the restrictions, extending a string of courtroom setbacks for the president’s election agenda.
According to a June U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) report, nearly a third of 2024 ballots were cast by mail.
Trump has repeatedly questioned mail-in voting’s integrity and did not rule out declaring a national emergency if the SAVE Act stalls in the Senate.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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