August 21, 2026 · Information Integrity, Press & Democratic Norms
· Official action
Confirmed
Postal Service Issues Its Mail-Ballot Rule Anyway, Telling States to Hand Over Citizenship Lists 60 Days Before the Midterms
The U.S. Postal Service announced new eligibility guidelines for mail-in ballots on Aug. 21, carrying out President Trump's March executive order on mail voting even though a federal court has blocked that order. A 95-page report, unpublished and slated for release Aug. 26, sets out how the service would distribute ballots for the November midterms. The requirements closely track the blocked mandate: states would have to notify USPS 60 days before the Nov. 3 election that they intend to submit a list of eligible voters based on citizenship data, and only then would the service deliver mail-in or absentee ballots to their residents.
Postmaster General David Steiner told senators in June he would comply. Two months later, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani blocked enforcement of the order nationwide, writing that with less than 90 days to the election there was a "critical need for an injunction to prevent Defendants from changing election rules on the eve of the election." Roughly 30.3 percent of ballots cast in 2024 were submitted by mail.
Asked about the ruling, White House spokesperson Lauren Bis said the administration "will continue lawfully enacting the agenda President Trump was elected to enact." The injunction remains in place.
Postmaster General David Steiner told senators in June he would comply. Two months later, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani blocked enforcement of the order nationwide, writing that with less than 90 days to the election there was a "critical need for an injunction to prevent Defendants from changing election rules on the eve of the election." Roughly 30.3 percent of ballots cast in 2024 were submitted by mail.
Asked about the ruling, White House spokesperson Lauren Bis said the administration "will continue lawfully enacting the agenda President Trump was elected to enact." The injunction remains in place.
Legal outcome: Underlying executive order enjoined nationwide by Judge Indira Talwani (D. Mass.); the new USPS rule is issued but its enforcement remains subject to that injunction.