Lawyer for whistleblower warns USPS voting portal could delay ballots
A whistleblower’s attorney says the Postal Service’s hastily built online system for processing absentee ballots may prevent votes from reaching voters on time.
In response to President Trump’s initiative to restrict mail-in voting, the U.S. Postal Service is developing an online platform for states to submit voter information prior to sending absentee ballots. An anonymous federal official, whose counsel is David Kligerman of the nonprofit Whistleblower Aid, alleges the system was rushed into existence within a matter of weeks, lacks proper testing, and has experienced crashes during trials.
Kligerman warns that the process, which involves sampling and verifying batches of ballots, could reject entire shipments over a single barcode or scanner issue, potentially postponing delivery to voters. A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction preventing the Postal Service from forcing states to use the portal for the upcoming midterm election, a ruling the agency is now appealing. The Postal Service says it is reviewing the whistleblower’s concerns, while the administration argues the requirements are intended to confirm ballot recipients. Legal challenges assert that the Postal Service lacks authority to perform such verification.
Why it matters
If the portal delays absentee ballots, it could affect voter participation in the midterm election.
How this story developed
- Aug 22 Supreme Court Halts Lower Court Block on Trump Mail-Voting Order Amid Implementation Hurdles
- Aug 29 Utah senators and a representative publicly praised the Supreme Court’s ruling and defended the state’s mail‑in voting system.
- Aug 30 A climate researcher introduced a Supreme Court‑expansion litmus test for Senate Democrats.
- Aug 31 The Supreme Court issued a 6‑3 stay overturning the district‑court injunction.
- Aug 31 David Steiner, the new Postmaster General, said the USPS will obey the court decision that ultimately prevails on the voting rule.
- Aug 31 Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine told Senator Elissa Slotkin that the U.S. military will not send active-duty forces or federalized National Guard members to polling places for the November 2026 midterm elections.
- Aug 31 Supreme Court issued a 5‑4 order overturning the injunction that had paused the ballroom work.
- Aug 31 Judge Indira Talwani denied a request to suspend the 14‑day temporary restraining order and set an expedited hearing on a preliminary injunction.
- Sep 1 The White House awarded contracts for lighting work on the Harry S. Truman Bowling Alley, escort services for construction crews, and an undisclosed basement studio project.
- Sep 1 Senator Slotkin formally requested a written response from the Pentagon about possible troop deployment to polling sites.
- Sep 1 A whistleblower disclosed that the Postal Service is proceeding with the verification portal despite the district court’s injunction.
- Sep 1 Jim Clyburn publicly advocated expanding the Supreme Court to 13 justices.
- Sep 2 Speaker Mike Johnson announced a House vote on a constitutional amendment to limit the Supreme Court to nine justices.
- Sep 2 Supreme Court issued a 5‑4 stay permitting the ballroom construction to proceed while the lawsuit proceeds.
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