USPS Proposes Federal Mail-Ballot Tracking Rules Requiring 30-Day State Data Submissions
Updated
Updated · CNBC · May 29
USPS Proposes Federal Mail-Ballot Tracking Rules Requiring 30-Day State Data Submissions
8 articles · Updated · CNBC · May 29
USPS on Friday proposed requiring states to send voter names, addresses and unique barcodes for outbound and return envelopes in federal mail-in elections, creating voter-linked tracking lists through a new Federal Ballot Mail Portal.
The rule would let USPS count ballots mailed against ballots returned and reject outbound federal ballot mailings that lack the required logos, tracking codes or matches to state-submitted voter lists.
General, special and runoff federal elections would be covered, while primaries and ballots for military and overseas voters would be excluded; the proposal is set for Federal Register publication on June 2, with comments due 30 days later.
The move follows Trump's March 31 election order and came a day after a federal judge refused to immediately block its mail-voting provisions, saying challenges were premature before agencies acted.
Democrats and voting-rights groups argue the plan intrudes on state authority and could hinder voting by mail, while the administration casts tighter ballot handling as an election-integrity measure.
Could new USPS mail-in ballot rules create logistical hurdles for state election officials before November?
What technology must states adopt to meet the USPS's new standards for mail-in ballot tracking?
How will the new federal ballot portal protect the private data of millions of American voters?