USPS Tightens Mail-In Voting Amid Court Injunction

The USPS published a 95-page final rule to tighten mail-in voting ahead of the November elections, requiring states to share voter rolls, lists of ballot recipients, and barcodes with the agency. The changes cannot take effect yet because federal court injunctions in California and Massachusetts block implementation. The rule is tied to a March executive order signed by President Trump, aiming to restrict mail ballots and centralize eligibility data, and the USPS says it would implement immediately if the injunctions are lifted. If in effect, the USPS would deliver ballots only from states that comply with the new standards and would verify envelopes and enrollments before accepting ballots. Critics argue the rules point to partisan interference or overreach, while Trump has long advocated tighter voting rules. Supporters, including USPS leadership, say the agency is simply matching the ballots sent by states to what actually gets mailed and improving election integrity, a claim that has driven heavy media coverage and ongoing legal scrutiny.