USPS finalizes rule restricting mail-in ballot delivery; Supreme Court weighs appeal

Published Aug 24, 07:19 PM UTC

The U.S. Postal Service finalized a new rule on August 24, 2026, that would restrict mail-in ballot delivery to only voters whose information has been submitted to the federal government via a new portal. The rule, based on President Trump's March executive order targeting mail-in voting, requires state and local election officials to provide voters' names and addresses to USPS. Voting rights advocates have sued, arguing it could disenfranchise voters by adding administrative hurdles. Multiple lower courts have blocked the rule, and USPS stated it will not implement it for the November midterms unless the Supreme Court allows it. The Supreme Court is currently considering the Trump administration's appeal. Separately, a federal judge criticized the administration for finalizing the rule despite a court order barring it, and ordered the government to respond by Tuesday. The rule does not require voters to take any additional actions but mandates new envelope designs and barcodes for federal ballots.