USPS Proposes New Voter Information Rules

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is suggesting new regulations that would require states to supply voter information. If they fail to do so, they might lose the capacity to deliver mail-in ballots.

This announcement came last week and seems to follow President Donald Trump’s March proposal, which aimed at enhancing election integrity and verifying voter eligibility.

Postmaster General David Steiner noted earlier this year that the USPS isn’t tasked with creating a voter eligibility database.

“We’re not going to create a list. I mean, we can’t create a list. That’s not our job. We can only work from the list we’re given and then we deliver the mail,” Steiner mentioned.

The proposed rule states that the USPS would need to verify election mail before it enters their system.

“This provision will help determine compliance with federal law and facilitate law enforcement efforts. For example, the list provided will certify the number of mailed ballots and allow law enforcement officials to compare the total number of mailed ballots to the total number of ballots received to detect potential issues that merit further investigation,” the proposal explains.

Since starting his second term, President Trump has focused heavily on election integrity and security, signing multiple orders that require proof of citizenship and address concerns about mail-in voting fraud.

However, the initiative has faced strong backlash. Anton Hajjar, a former member of the Postal Service leadership, stated that President Trump’s directives constitute “political interference in the legally independent USPS.”

U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols has also shown concern regarding the vague nature of the plan. In May, Nichols dismissed a call for an injunction, asserting that a legal challenge would be premature until the new policy is put into action.

“The court recognizes that the Postal Service may ultimately issue final regulations that directly impact plaintiffs and their members,” Nichols wrote.

“Significant uncertainty remains, even within the federal government, as to how and to what extent the executive order will be enforced,” said Justice Department attorney Stephen M. Pezzi during court discussions.

A 30-day comment period is currently underway regarding the proposed rule, and a final version is anticipated by the end of July.