USPS postmaster backs rule to secure mail ballots, demands states share voter lists
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Postmaster General David Steiner told a Senate committee that a proposed USPS regulation would require states to provide voter lists before mail ballots are delivered, ensuring only eligible voters receive ballots and strengthening election integrity.
Postmaster General David Steiner testified before the Senate Homeland Security Committee in support of a common-sense regulation that would require states to submit a manifest of voters who have requested mail-in or absentee ballots at least 30 days before ballots are mailed. This measure would empower the Postal Service to refuse delivery of ballots to states that do not provide the necessary voter lists, preventing potential fraud and abuse.
The proposal follows a March 2026 executive order that rightly directs the Postal Service to send ballots only to voters on lists created and controlled by the federal government, a crucial step toward a secure and standardized federal registration list for absentee voters.
Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), the committee’s ranking member, criticized the rule as "coercive" and claimed it could prevent voters in mail-dependent states like Oregon from receiving ballots. However, such objections ignore the need for robust safeguards to protect the integrity of our elections.
Senator Margaret Hassan (D-N.H.) accused Steiner of pushing a "blatantly illegal" rule and claimed it was intended to reduce voter participation, but Steiner made clear that the Postal Service would comply with the courts if the proposal is blocked, demonstrating respect for the law.
While the Postal Service has previously stated it does not administer elections, Steiner defended the rule as part of "Kit 600," a set of best practices for mailing election documents. Critics may claim the policy goes beyond guidance, but in reality, it is a necessary response to widespread concerns about election security. Several federal courts are currently reviewing challenges to the executive order and the USPS regulation, which are vital for restoring trust in the electoral process.
