Postal Service proposes requiring states to provide mail-in ballot voter lists The U.S. Postal Service has proposed new rules that would mandate states submit voter names, addresses, and unique ballot barcodes for federal elections. This proposal aims to track mail-in ballots and detect potential issues by comparing mailing data with returned ballots. The rule, which follows a directive from President Trump’s executive order, would apply to federal elections but exclude primaries and ballots for military and overseas voters.

• USPS proposed new rules requiring states to provide voter names, addresses, and unique ballot barcodes for federal elections.
• The rules aim to establish mandatory “best practices” for federal election mail, including tracking barcodes and design reviews.
• The proposal follows President Trump’s executive order on elections and a judge’s decision not to block its mail-voting provisions.
• USPS would use the submitted data to create state-specific “Mail-In and Absentee Participation Lists” through a new Federal Ballot Mail Portal.
• States would retain control over voter eligibility for mail-in voting.
• The proposed rule is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on June 2, with public comments due 30 days later.