US Postal Service rule tightens mail-in voting despite court orders blocking changes
Rule would require states to provide federal government with information on voters in return for delivering ballots
TL;DR
- USPS is preparing a final rule to impose new requirements on states regarding voter information.
- The rule is intended to take effect before the November midterm congressional elections.
- Two court orders currently block these changes from being implemented.
- The rule would require states to grant the US Department of Homeland Security access to voter lists and adopt new balloting procedures.
- The USPS would refuse to deliver ballots if states do not comply.
- The federal government has sued 30 states and Washington D.C. for refusing to provide voter lists.
- The Trump administration is continuing with plans to potentially disrupt mail-in votes.
- The USPS is prepared to implement the restrictions if court injunctions are lifted.
- A March executive order by Donald Trump prohibits the USPS from delivering ballots to voters not on a federal list of eligible citizens.
- The USPS proposal seeks to require states to provide names and barcodes for mail-in ballots.