US Postal Service issues final rule tightening mail-in voting requirements

The U.S. Postal Service issued a final rule on August 21, 2026, tightening mail-in voting requirements ahead of the November 2026 congressional elections. The rule, which requires states to provide voter lists and unique barcodes, is currently blocked by a federal court injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani. While Postmaster General David Steiner defended the plan as a verification measure, Democrats and several states argue the agency lacks authority to alter election rules so close to the vote.

USPS mail-in voting rule

• ▪Under the August 21, 2026 rule, the U.S. Postal Service will maintain data from the exterior of ballot envelopes, including address and barcode information.
• ▪The U.S. Postal Service published a 95-page final rule on August 21, 2026, to tighten requirements for mail-in voting.
• ▪Under the August 21, 2026 rule, the U.S. Postal Service will not collect party affiliation or inspect ballot contents, and postal workers are unauthorized to open sealed mail.
• ▪Under the final rule published on August 21, 2026, the U.S. Postal Service would refuse to deliver ballots in states that do not comply with the new standards.

Trump executive order

• ▪President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March 2026 directing the U.S. Postal Service to adopt tighter rules on voting by mail.
• ▪President Donald Trump signed the March 2026 executive order after years of pushing false claims that his 2020 election defeat resulted from widespread voter fraud.

Court injunction blocking implementation

• ▪Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias criticized the regulation, stating that the U.S. Postal Service had caved to President Donald Trump.
• ▪U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston blocked the U.S. Postal Service in August 2026 from adopting the mail-in voting rules ordered by President Donald Trump.
• ▪The U.S. Postal Service stated it will take no action to implement the August 21, 2026 rule unless a court lifts the injunction.

State barcode tracking requirements

• ▪The August 21, 2026 rule requires states to provide the U.S. Postal Service with names and barcodes tied to mail-in ballots for federal elections.
• ▪The U.S. Postal Service's August 21, 2026 rule requires states to provide lists of voters who received mailed ballots to the agency.
• ▪U.S. Postal Service Postmaster General David Steiner defended the tracking plan in June 2026, stating it ensures ballots sent match what states believe they are sending.
• ▪The August 21, 2026 rule requires states to apply unique barcodes to outbound and return ballot mail envelopes.

Democratic opposition to authority

• ▪Many states and congressional Democrats argued that it is too close to the upcoming election to drastically change election rules.
• ▪Many states and congressional Democrats argued that the U.S. Postal Service lacks the authority to change election rules.

November congressional election timing

• ▪The U.S. Postal Service issued the final rule ahead of the November 2026 congressional elections that will decide control of Congress.
• ▪The U.S. Postal Service posted the rule late on Friday, August 21, 2026, with formal publication scheduled for August 26, 2026.

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