Whistleblower warns USPS online portal could jeopardize mail voting for midterms

The U.S. Postal Service is preparing an online portal that would let state election officials submit absentee voter names and ballot envelope barcodes under a directive linked to President Trump’s effort to tighten mail-in voting rules. A whistleblower, identified in a disclosure submitted by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, says the system has not undergone sufficient testing and is being fast-tracked for a September 1 launch.

The disclosure, prepared by Whistleblower Aid, claims USPS leadership has set a "zero-percent failure policy" for verifying ballot eligibility, a process the whistleblower says could cause repeated verification cycles and delay thousands of ballots. If courts permit the rule, the portal’s shortcomings could prevent eligible voters from receiving their mail-in ballots on time.

Sen. Blumenthal wrote to Postmaster General David Steiner urging him to abandon the plan, stating it could interfere with Americans’ constitutional right to vote by mail. The senator described the whistleblower’s findings as "mind-boggling" and said the system appears designed to fail.

A federal judge in Boston recently issued a temporary restraining order against the USPS plan, finding it likely exceeds the agency’s authority. The Trump administration has appealed the decision, and further litigation is expected as the 2024 midterm election approaches.

USPS spokespersons have not responded to requests for comment.