USPS could halt mail-ballot delivery unless states submit voter lists under Trump order

The United States Postal Service is preparing regulations that would condition the delivery of mail-in ballots on states furnishing the agency with lists of voters who request absentee voting. The rules are intended to implement an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in March 2026 that seeks greater federal oversight of mail-ballot processes.

Under the proposal, states that do not comply with the data-submission requirement could have their ballots refused by the Postal Service, a move that officials say could effectively curtail mail voting in those jurisdictions. More than two dozen Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia have filed lawsuits challenging the order, arguing that it exceeds federal authority and could disenfranchise voters in the upcoming midterm elections.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows warned that a court ruling in favor of the administration would “see a virtual elimination of mail-in voting, unless the states supply voter lists to the federal government.” Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read described the measure as a denial of voting rights, stating that “this is not in the president’s power…states run elections.”

Former USPS Board of Governors Vice Chair Anton Hajjar told CNN that the Postal Service’s mandate to deliver mail with proper postage conflicts with the proposed rule, which he said “in effect” regulates elections. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said the administration remains confident the executive order will be implemented by the November election.

The order also directs the Department of Homeland Security to compile state-by-state citizenship lists using data from multiple federal agencies, raising concerns about the potential use of those lists to pressure states on voter-roll maintenance. A DHS spokesperson said the effort is aimed at “restoring integrity to our election systems.”

Postal unions have expressed alarm that the draft could place mail carriers in the position of deciding which ballots to deliver. National Association of Letter Carriers President Brian Renfroe called the prospect of refusing ballots “very, very concerning.”

Implementation challenges include the Postal Service’s need to develop a secure portal for states to submit voter data and unique barcodes for each ballot, a system that does not yet exist. Election officials and vendors have highlighted budgetary constraints and logistical hurdles, especially for smaller jurisdictions.

Legal battles continue as courts assess the executive order’s legality. A federal judge in Washington, D.C., declined to block the order pending further review, prompting Democrats to seek an expedited ruling from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. The outcome will determine whether the Postal Service can enforce the voter-list requirement ahead of the November elections.