USPS pauses Trump-backed mail-ballot database after Supreme Court blocks order

Following the Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at restricting mail voting, the U.S. Postal Service has stopped work on the associated database, according to Postmaster General David Steiner. Steiner, a former Waste Management chief, said an injunction bars any further activity and stressed that the agency’s involvement was limited to operational execution, not policy making. He refused to assess the court’s ruling or the merits of the order, and denied speculation about his departure.

An internal memo clarified that the Postal Service will not enforce the new envelope design or barcode mandates for the 2026 federal election, though it will still offer price incentives for compliant mail. Steiner highlighted ongoing concerns about postmark delays in vote-by-mail states and urged voters to mail ballots early. The agency continues to press Congress for legislation to address its described liquidity crisis.