USPS makes new rules for mail-in ballots
The changes would not go into effect until the court lifts its injunction.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has introduced new rules requiring mail-in ballots to include basic voter information, such as a voter's name and home address, linked to a unique barcode. These changes would not take effect until the court lifts its injunction. If approved, states would need to collect and report voter information to a federal ballot mail portal before accepting the ballot into the mail system.
The USPS would refuse to deliver ballots to any state not complying with these rules. This move follows months of efforts by the administration to collect voter information for the purpose of election integrity. However, some experts worry that consolidating this data in federal hands could undermine the Constitution's system of state-run elections.
The new requirements do not fulfill all demands from President Donald Trump, whose March executive order included requirements for statewide voter citizenship lists and uniform ballots. The USPS clarified that it will not be involved in determining voter eligibility, maintaining voter rolls, or counting ballots. The rule aims to provide federal law enforcement with a list of individuals who may potentially use the mail to vote, along with associated barcode data.
While acknowledging the range of disagreement, the USPS stated that the incidence of voter fraud does not affect the legal basis for the proposed rule, as it will help identify potential issues capable of being effectively investigated.
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