USPS Finalizes Rule to Restrict Mail Ballots
USPS Finalizes Rule to Restrict Mail Ballots
The News
The U.S. Postal Service published a final rule on Friday, Aug. 21, that would tighten the handling of mail-in ballots before November's congressional elections — even though a federal court has blocked the changes from taking effect.
Under the 95-page rule, USPS would not deliver ballots in states that fail to meet its new standards. States would have to give the agency lists of voters who received mailed ballots, along with the names and barcodes tied to mail-in ballots for federal elections, and apply unique barcodes to outbound and return ballot envelopes.
USPS said it issued the rule now so it could take immediate effect if a court lifts the injunctions against it in time for the election, according to USA Today.
Timeline
President Donald Trump signs an executive order directing tighter rules on voting by mail. USA Today reports the order followed years of Trump pushing the false claim that his 2020 defeat was the result of widespread voter fraud.
Postmaster General David Steiner defends the plan, saying the Postal Service is "making sure we match the ballots that a state believes they're sending out to what actually gets sent out."
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston blocks USPS from adopting the rules ordered by Trump ahead of the November elections that will decide control of Congress.
USPS posts the final rule late in the day. It will be formally published Aug. 26.
Reactions
Many states and Democrats in Congress argue the Postal Service does not have the authority to impose the requirements and that it is too close to the election to change election rules so drastically, USA Today reported.
USPS has said the data collection "will help determine adherence to federal law and facilitate law enforcement efforts." The agency referred questions about the rule to the White House.
The New York Times reported the plan complies with Trump's executive order restricting mail voting — an order that was blocked by federal courts and is under review at the Supreme Court.
What's Next
The rule is formally published Aug. 26, but USPS says it will take no action to implement it unless a court lifts the injunction.
The Supreme Court's review of the underlying executive order is the decision point. If the block is lifted, the requirements land on states weeks out from the November midterms that decide control of Congress.
More
USPS says that if the rule takes effect, it will not collect or record party affiliation and will not inspect ballot contents, and that postal workers are not authorized to open mail sealed against inspection. The agency says it would keep data from the exterior of the envelope only, including address and barcode information.
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