USPS Finalizes Voter List Rule as Court Blocks Implementation

The U.S. Postal Service finalized a rule Friday requiring states to furnish voter enrollment lists before distributing mail-in ballots through the agency. The regulation, initially announced June 2, implements directives from President Donald Trump’s March 31 executive order mandating that states notify USPS at least 90 days before elections and submit eligible voter rosters at least 60 days prior to voting.

Under the new requirements, participating states must register individual voters with the Postal Service and include unique Intelligent Mail barcodes on both outgoing federal ballots and return envelopes. USPS Postmaster General David Steiner characterized the measure as a verification mechanism to ensure ballots distributed align with state records.

A federal injunction currently prevents the rule from taking effect. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani, an Obama appointee, blocked implementation in June and reaffirmed the injunction in July in League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump, determining two sections of the executive order were unconstitutional.

The rule, officially published August 26, would only become operative for upcoming midterm elections if a federal court vacated the injunction. The Trump administration argued in court filings that plaintiffs cannot demonstrate harm before the policy takes effect, contesting the premature nature of judicial review under ripeness doctrine standards.

White House spokesperson Lauren Bis stated the administration would “continue lawfully enacting” its election security agenda. The dispute involves multiple federal agencies as litigation proceeds through the courts.