US Postal Service Tightens Rules for Mail-In Voting

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has published new rules tightening the conditions for mail-in voting ahead of the November congressional elections, although a federal court is currently blocking their implementation.

President Donald Trump mandated the rules in an executive order issued in March. The USPS will formally publish them on 26 August but will not begin enforcing them while the court injunction remains in effect. It has prepared the rules so they can take effect immediately if the court lifts the injunction.

States would be required to provide the USPS with voters' names and the barcodes associated with their mail-in ballots in federal elections. Unique barcodes would also be required on envelopes both when ballots are sent to voters and when they are returned.

If the rules take effect, the USPS will not deliver ballots in states that do not comply with the new requirements. However, it will not record party affiliation or inspect the contents of mailings.

Several states and Democrats in Congress argue that the USPS lacks the authority to make such changes and that the rules are being introduced too close to the election, which will determine control of Congress.

(Reuters, lud)