USPS Proposes Mandatory Voter Data Rules for Mail-In Ballots
CNBC reported Friday that the U.S. Postal Service has proposed sweeping new rules that would compel states to hand over detailed voter data for federal mail-in elections. The proposal arrives one day after a federal judge allowed President Donald Trump’s mail-voting executive order to move forward.
What the USPS Proposal Would Require
Under the draft rule, states would need to submit voter names and mailing addresses to the Postal Service. They would also provide unique barcodes linked to each voter’s outbound and return ballot envelopes. USPS said the system would help officials track how many ballots were sent versus returned, flagging discrepancies for further review.
The rule would cover general, special and runoff federal elections. Primaries and ballots sent to military or overseas voters would be excluded. States would retain authority over who qualifies to vote by mail, reflecting the Constitution’s assignment of most election oversight to state governments.
A new platform called the Federal Ballot Mail Portal would house state-specific participation lists. Ballot mailings that fail to meet the new design standards or lack a matching voter record could be returned by USPS under the proposal.
Background: Trump’s March Executive Order
Trump signed an elections-related executive order on March 31, directing the Postal Service to begin formal rulemaking on mail-in and absentee ballot handling. A federal judge on Thursday declined to immediately block the mail-voting provisions, finding legal challenges premature before agencies had acted. The ruling preserves the option for challengers to return to court once implementation steps are taken.
The White House defended the effort, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson telling CNBC the administration would “continue lawfully enacting the agenda President Trump was elected to enact,” describing election security as a core campaign promise.
Also Read: What Trump’s Executive Orders Mean for Federal Agencies
Democrats Push Back Hard
Opposition was swift and sharp. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, called the proposal “another malicious attempt” to suppress votes ahead of November elections. He vowed Democrats would contest the measure both in court and through Congress.
Voting rights advocates have long argued that Trump’s mail-voting restrictions encroach on state authority and could reduce ballot access for millions of Americans. The administration has consistently framed such measures as election-integrity safeguards.
The proposed rule is scheduled to appear in the Federal Register on June 2. A 30-day public comment window will follow publication, giving states, advocacy groups and the public an opportunity to formally respond before any final version takes effect.
Read Next: How Federal Rulemaking Works and Why Comment Periods Matter
