USPS Moves to Restrict Mail Ballots to Federal Lists Before 2026 Midterms

9 articles · Updated · Democracy Docket · May 29

USPS said in a proposed rule due next week that states must submit mail-ballot request lists at least 30 days before ballots go out, and voters not on those federalized lists would not receive ballots.
The move advances Trump's March executive order on the deadline he set for Postmaster General David Steiner to begin rulemaking, a day after a judge said challengers lacked standing because agencies had not yet acted.
USPS also said each mail voter would be tied to a unique ballot barcode to check compliance with federal law and support law-enforcement efforts, while allowing late supplemental state submissions to fix omissions or changes.
Democrats, voting-rights groups and legal experts say the plan unlawfully expands federal control over elections without Congress, risks disenfranchising eligible voters and relies on flawed federal databases including DHS records.
The proposal sharpens the legal fight ahead of the 2026 midterms by supplying the concrete agency action plaintiffs said was missing in their lawsuits against the order.

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