Controversy Surrounds USPS Mail Ballot Rule and Trump’s Executive Order

Lawmakers have criticized Postmaster General David Steiner following his announcement of a proposed rule. It states that the United States Postal Service (USPS) will not deliver mail ballots unless states share their voter lists with the Trump administration. During a Senate committee hearing, Steiner was questioned about mailing ballots to states refusing to provide absentee voter lists. He confirmed that USPS would require the manifest.

Democratic Senator Gary Peters from Michigan criticized the rule during the Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing. Peters argued the rule coerces states into handing over voter information that the U.S. Constitution reserves for state control. He expressed that it compels states to trust the federal government and limits voting by mail.

Senator Margaret Hassan from New Hampshire labeled the rule as “blatantly illegal” and warned it could reduce democratic participation. She demanded Steiner withdraw the proposal immediately.

Trump’s Executive Order: Key Points

The proposal emerges from President Donald Trump’s executive order on March 31, titled “Ensuring Citizen Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections.” The order aims to reshape election administration and mail voting rules before the 2026 midterms. It directs federal agencies to compile lists of verified citizens eligible to vote by mail, requires the USPS to send ballots only to voters on these lists, and enforces ballot-tracking measures. States that fail to comply risk losing federal funding. Critics say this exceeds presidential authority as the Constitution assigns states the primary role in election administration, with Congress setting national standards.

Legal Challenges

Several lawsuits challenge the executive order’s legality. A federal judge in Massachusetts has allowed key challenges to proceed, questioning if the administration overstepped by involving federal agencies and the USPS in election management. The lawsuits include the participation of Democratic-led states and voting-rights groups.

Organizations like the League of Women Voters and others argue the order is unconstitutional. They emphasize that it disrupts important nonpartisan voting efforts and threatens disenfranchisement of many citizens, including elderly, disabled, and minority voters who rely on mail voting. Marcia Johnson of the League stated that mail voting is vital for millions, and no president can unilaterally change election rules.

Trump’s Criticism of Mail-In Voting

President Trump has a history of criticizing mail voting, claiming it fosters fraud, despite consistent findings from election officials across parties suggesting otherwise. Since reassuming office in January 2025, Trump has focused on imposing stricter mail voting regulations. He has spoken out against mail voting at rallies and criticized states like Utah for adopting all mail-in ballot systems.

Future Developments

Legal challenges will likely decide the feasibility of implementing the new mail-voting measures before upcoming federal elections. Various states, voting-rights groups, and election officials are pursuing court orders to halt enforcement. Meanwhile, administration officials argue the measures are essential for ensuring election security.