Lawmakers Oppose USPS Mail Ballot Rule
Postmaster General David Steiner faced criticism from lawmakers after revealing a new rule for the United States Postal Service (USPS). The proposal would prevent USPS from delivering mail ballots if states do not provide voter lists to the Trump administration. During a Senate committee testimony, Steiner confirmed USPS would not send ballots to states withholding absentee voter lists, stating, “We need the manifest.”
Democratic Senator Gary Peters from Michigan, a leading member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, argued the rule coerces states into submitting sensitive voter data. Peters emphasized, “This forces states to trust the federal government and the Trump administration, threatening the ability for people to vote by mail.”
New Hampshire Senator Margaret Hassan, also a Democrat, declared the rule “blatantly illegal,” insisting Steiner retract the proposal to avoid reduced participation in democracy.
Executive Order Sparks USPS Proposal
The USPS proposal follows President Donald Trump’s March 31 executive order. Titled “Ensuring Citizen Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections,” the order aims to revamp election administration and mail voting rules before the 2026 midterms. This order directs federal agencies to compile lists of eligible mail voters, requiring USPS to only send ballots to approved voters with tracking measures like unique barcodes on envelopes.
The order also threatens states with federal funding loss if they do not comply. Critics argue this order exceeds presidential authority as the Constitution grants states the primary responsibility for elections.
Legal Challenges Against Executive Order
Democratic-led states and voting-rights groups have filed lawsuits challenging the executive order’s legality. A Massachusetts federal judge recently allowed significant challenges to proceed, questioning if the administration overstepped by increasing federal involvement in elections.
Groups like the League of Women Voters argue the executive order is unconstitutional and disrupts nonpartisan voting rights efforts. In court, plaintiffs state the order risks disenfranchising various voters reliant on mail ballots such as seniors, people with disabilities, and students.
Trump’s Stance on Mail-In Voting
President Trump continues to voice opposition to mail voting, claiming it leads to election fraud. Despite bipartisan election officials disputing these claims, Trump has advocated for stricter mail ballot regulations since his January 2025 reelection. He has labeled mail voting “corrupt” and “fraudulent.”
Recently, Trump criticized Utah’s efforts to implement all-mail voting, suggesting it favors liberal outcomes.
Future Developments
Legal challenges will likely decide if the administration can enforce its mail-voting initiative before upcoming federal elections. Voting-rights groups, election officials, and states seek court orders to halt these measures, while administration officials assert the changes are vital for election security.