Postmaster General David Steiner stated during a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) would not deliver mail ballots unless states provide their voter lists to the federal government. Steiner's comments came in response to a question about a proposed regulation requiring state election officials to submit a list of voters who have requested mail-in ballots at least 30 days prior to ballot distribution. If voters are not on this list, they would not receive a ballot.
This proposal is part of an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump in March 2026, which aimed to centralize control over mail voting. Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.) expressed concern that this rule could pressure states into sharing sensitive voter data with the federal government. He characterized the proposal as a means for the federal government to gain access to information that is constitutionally controlled by the states.
Steiner defended the proposal, stating it aligns with USPS's best practices for election mail, but Peters argued that it differs significantly from previous guidelines. Senator Margaret Hassan (D-N.H.) called for the immediate withdrawal of the proposed rule, labeling it illegal and detrimental to voter participation. Steiner indicated that USPS would comply with any court orders blocking the proposal, as multiple lawsuits are currently challenging Trump's executive order and the USPS regulation.
During the hearing, Steiner also addressed a recent mail ballot error in Maryland, suggesting that the proposed rule could have prevented it, despite the error being attributed to a printing mistake. This assertion aligns with claims made by Trump and his supporters regarding mail voting issues.