US Postal Service to block mail‑in ballots in states that refuse voter‑list requirement

President Donald Trump’s March 31, 2026 executive order (EO 14399) directs the United States Postal Service to restrict mail‑in voting by requiring each state to submit a list of voters eligible to receive ballots. In response, the Postal Service published a proposed rule on June 2, 2026 that would deny delivery of mail‑in or absentee ballots to any state that does not provide such a list.

Postmaster General David Steiner testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and answered Senator Gary Peters’ question, “If a state refuses to turn its absentee voter list over to the federal government, will the Postal Service still mail its ballots?” with a clear “No.” Steiner said the agency would follow any court orders, but under the proposal the rule would effectively halt ballot delivery in non‑compliant states.

All 47 Democratic senators, including Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters, condemned the rule as unconstitutional and an attempt to turn the Postal Service into a federal election‑administration agency. They warned it could disenfranchise millions of voters in states that rely heavily on mail voting. The proposal is open for public comment through July 2 and faces multiple lawsuits from states and voting‑rights groups.