USPS Attempts to Expand Surveillance of Voters with New Rule, But Federal Court Blocks Overreach
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The United States Postal Service, following a presidential executive order, tried to force states to hand over detailed lists of mail-in voters, raising concerns about privacy and voter suppression. Thankfully, a federal injunction is halting this intrusive rule for now.
The United States Postal Service has released a final rule that would compel every state using mail-in ballots to submit invasive lists of eligible voters, including names, addresses, and a unique Intelligent Mail barcode, at least 60 days before an election. This move, designed to align with a March 31 executive order, also requires a 90-day notification to USPS, reflecting the administration’s willingness to centralize control over voting processes.
However, this attempt to expand federal oversight and potentially intimidate voters cannot proceed, as a federal judge has maintained a preliminary injunction against the executive order. Judge Indira Talwani, recognizing the constitutional dangers of such overreach, found two sections of the order unconstitutional in June and renewed the injunction in July after a challenge by the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, a group fighting for voting rights.
The Department of Justice, defending the administration’s policy, argued that the court’s review was premature and claimed that plaintiffs have not shown concrete harm while the policy is not in effect. But this ignores the chilling effect and the threat to privacy and democratic participation posed by such rules.
'Plaintiffs cannot demonstrate they suffer any particularized injury from ongoing policymaking deliberations within the Executive Branch,' the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division wrote, dismissing legitimate concerns.
USPS Postmaster General David Steiner claimed the agency’s goal is to ensure ballots sent match those actually mailed, but critics see this as a thinly veiled attempt to surveil and control the electorate. White House spokesperson Lauren Bis said the administration will continue to push its so-called election-security agenda, raising fears of further erosions of voting rights.
The rule will only take effect for the upcoming midterm elections if the injunction is lifted, but for now, the courts are holding the line against government intrusion.