USPS Proposes Rule to Halt Mail-Ballot Delivery in States That Withhold Voter Lists

At a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on June 24, 2026, Postmaster General David Steiner unveiled a draft USPS rule that would stop delivering mail-in ballots in any state that refuses to turn over its absentee voter list. The proposal follows President Donald Trump’s March executive order, is open for 30 days of public comment, and must be finalized by the end of July.

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In March 2026, President Trump issued an executive order directing the USPS to require states to submit lists of eligible mail voters at least 60 days before federal elections, citing concerns about rare non-citizen voting. Voting-rights groups and Democratic state attorneys general have sued, arguing the order unlawfully expands federal control over state-run elections.

Seattle Times

Key participants include Postmaster General David Steiner, President Donald Trump, Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), voting-rights groups backed by Democratic state attorneys general, and the USPS Board of Governors.

Democracy Docket

The rule would require eight states and the District of Columbia—California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and D.C.—to turn over voter lists, potentially affecting millions of mail-voting residents.

Seattle Times

Steiner said the rule is measure to ensure “right ballots are going to people,” and pledged USPS will follow court orders. He noted agency lacks authority to administer elections and will defer questions to courts. Trump administration called rule a needed safeguard against voter fraud.

The Hill

Senate Democrats and voting-rights groups say the rule would suppress mail voting and represents an unconstitutional federal intrusion. A letter signed by all Senate Democrats and two independents urged Steiner to withdraw the rule, citing constitutional concerns. Republican Senator Bernie Moreno accused Democrats of hypocrisy for previously supporting the “For the People Act.”

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Steiner previously said the USPS would “absolutely” continue delivering ballots, yet his testimony indicated the rule would halt delivery in non-compliant states. No court has yet issued an injunction, and the rule’s legal authority remains unsettled.

The Hill

• “Please push back on being a pawn in this authoritarian playbook,” — Senator Elissa Slotkin, U.S. Senator (D-MI)

New York Times

• “Under our proposed regulation, no,” — David Steiner, Postmaster General, USPS

New York Times

• “I’m not a political person and the Postal Service is not a political organization,” — David Steiner, USPS

Seattle Times

• “This is basically a back-door way for the federal government to get voting information that states control under the U.S. Constitution,” — Senator Gary Peters, U.S. Senator (D-MI)

Democracy Docket

The proposal is in a 30-day comment period that began June. Courts in Massachusetts, elsewhere are hearing challenges from voting-rights groups and state attorneys general. USPS must issue rule by July's end, after which it could affect November 2026 midterms unless blocked by a court.

Democracy Docket