USPS proposes voter-list rule for mail-in ballots, but court injunction stalls it

On Friday the United States Postal Service published a regulation that would require any state that relies on the agency to deliver mail-in or absentee ballots to furnish a list of eligible voters, including names, addresses and a serialized Intelligent Mail barcode on both outbound and return ballots, at least 60 days before an election. The rule is intended to bring the Postal Service into compliance with a March 31 executive order issued by Donald Trump, which also mandates a 90-day notice to the agency.

However, the regulation cannot be enforced because U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani has maintained a preliminary injunction against the executive order, finding portions of it unconstitutional. The court’s July renewal of the injunction bars the Postal Service from implementing the rule unless a higher court lifts it. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division contends the plaintiffs cannot show concrete harm until the rule is applied, while USPS Postmaster General David Steiner said the requirement would help match ballots sent and received.

The White House spokesperson Lauren Bis reiterated the administration’s commitment to election security. The rule will be officially published on Aug. 26 and would only affect the upcoming midterm elections if the legal barrier is removed.