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U.S. Postal Service Finalizes Rule Restricting Mail-In Ballot Delivery Pending Court Injunctions
Just the facts
Under the finalized regulation, state election authorities must grant the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies access to voter registration records and adopt standardized ballot envelope designs. If states do not comply with the requirements, the U.S. Postal Service would refuse to deliver mail-in and absentee ballots for federal contests. Federal district courts in California and Massachusetts have issued preliminary injunctions blocking the rule from taking effect ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Postal officials stated that the agency remains prepared to activate its verification portal and enforce the restrictions immediately if higher courts lift the injunctions. The rule stems from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in March 2026 mandating federal citizenship verification for mail voting.
Why this is news
The U.S. Postal Service prepared to publish a final rule requiring states to share voter registration data with federal agencies before mail-in ballots are delivered for federal elections. Implementation of the regulation remains blocked by federal court orders in California and Massachusetts.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.