President Donald Trump's proposed restrictions on mail-in voting through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) may impact voting data management and state-run elections, according to voting rights groups. The proposed rule could affect the 2026 midterms by requiring local and state officials to adopt a new federal system on short notice, potentially undermining confidence in U.S. elections.
The policy mandates that USPS review outgoing mail-ballot envelopes for compliance with federal standards before acceptance. Election officials would also need to use a new Federal Ballot Mail Portal to submit personal information about voters receiving mail ballots.
Jonathan Diaz, director of voting advocacy at the Campaign Legal Center, expressed concerns that compliance with these rules may be challenging for some jurisdictions, potentially preventing eligible voters from receiving ballots and complicating election administration.
In response, White House spokesperson Lauren Bis stated that the perceived chaos in elections is caused by Democrats who do not support basic measures to ensure election integrity. USPS has not commented on the matter due to pending litigation.
The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts has filed a motion to enforce a federal court order that blocks USPS from implementing the proposed rules. This lawsuit is one of several aimed at preventing the rules from taking effect. A Massachusetts case has already blocked both the citizenship-list system and mail-ballot rules in 23 states and D.C., while the administration has requested Supreme Court intervention.
Diaz noted that the proposed rule would disproportionately affect Americans who rely on mail ballots, including the elderly, voters with disabilities, and college students. Election offices would need to adapt to a new system shortly before voting begins, which could add strain to often underfunded and understaffed offices. Some jurisdictions may also incur financial losses from non-compliant ballot envelopes.
Despite Trump's claims about the safety of mail-in voting, he has voted by mail multiple times. States currently employ various safeguards to detect fraud, which remains infrequent. Critics argue that Trump's actions and rhetoric could further erode public confidence in elections.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the matter soon. If the court sides with the administration, the USPS rule would be implemented immediately; if against, the nationwide block would remain in place for the upcoming midterms.