USPS tightens mail-in voting rule
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
USPS finalized a 95-page rule tightening mail-in voting despite a federal court injunction. The rule awaits court action, affecting November midterm ballot handling.
Background
The USPS published a final rule on August 21, 2026, that would tighten mail-in voting procedures ahead of the November midterm elections. The rule stems from a March executive order by President Trump, which a federal court has blocked. The USPS says it is issuing the rule so it can take effect immediately if the injunction is lifted, ensuring it is ready for the upcoming election.
How it unfolded
- Mar 2026President Trump signs an executive order tightening mail-in voting rules, later blocked by a federal court.
- Jun 2026Postmaster General David Steiner defends the proposed rule, saying it ensures 'the right ballots are going to the right people.'
- Aug 21, 2026USPS publishes a 95-page final rule that would require states to provide voter lists and would not deliver ballots in non-compliant states, but it cannot take effect due to an injunction.
- Aug 26, 2026The rule is slated for formal publication, but USPS will take no action unless a court lifts the injunction.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- USPS says the rule is necessary to ensure ballots are matched correctly and to help law enforcement hunt for voter fraud.
- Critics
- Opponents argue the rule imposes burdens on states and could disrupt mail-in voting, echoing Trump's false claims of widespread voter fraud.
Still unverified
The claim that the rule is needed to prevent voter fraud is disputed; critics say it is based on false claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.