Earlier this month, the Supreme Court blocked an executive order from President Donald Trump that aimed to restrict voting by mail, which could have impacted the upcoming midterm elections. Initial plans from the White House included a proposal to require all ballots to be delivered exclusively through certified mail, necessitating voters to be present to sign for their ballots. This proposal was abandoned following objections from the Postal Service, which stated it would be impractical to implement.
Despite the proposal being dropped, Postal Service officials were excluded from key discussions as the Trump administration proceeded with the final executive order issued in March, which surprised even the Postal Service's legal team. The order would have required postal workers to determine which ballots were delivered, and it controversially assigned execution authority to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who does not oversee the Postal Service.
Discussions within the Postal Service regarding compliance with the order extended for weeks, with some board members expressing concern over potential repercussions from Trump if they challenged the order. They ultimately opted to remain silent, relying on the courts to intervene.
ProPublica's reporting reveals the involvement of J. Brian Sikma, a special presidential assistant, in the discussions surrounding mail-in voting. The Commerce Department confirmed Lutnick's advisory role in drafting the order. White House spokesperson Lauren Bis denied any improper interference with the Postal Service, asserting that the executive order included measures to enhance the security of mail-in voting.
A spokesperson for the Postal Service declined to comment on internal deliberations but referred to a previous statement from Postmaster General David Steiner, emphasizing the agency's commitment to supporting the democratic process. Jonathan Smith, president of the American Postal Workers Union, criticized the administration's efforts to change mail voting, suggesting they aimed to create confusion around the process.
The White House initially contacted the Postal Service in the fall of 2025 to discuss improvements to mail voting. Trump has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that mail voting is prone to fraud, despite voting by mail himself. In the 2022 and 2024 elections, nearly a third of ballots were cast by mail, and independent audits generally indicated the system functioned reliably, although some ballots experienced delays or losses.
Postal Service leaders have long advocated for standardized ballot envelopes to improve the mail voting process. However, a bipartisan bill to mandate these changes stalled in the Senate. Following Trump's return to office, the administration proposed requiring ballots to be sent via certified mail, which could address some security concerns but would increase costs for local governments and complicate timely delivery.
Ultimately, while the White House retreated from the certified mail requirement, postal officials were taken aback when the final order included mandates for envelope changes and ballot-tracking measures that they had previously suggested, with a deadline set for the midterms.