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USPS faces legal battle over new mail-in ballot verification rules
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is facing intense legal and political scrutiny over new regulations for handling mail-in ballots ahead of the midterm elections. A federal judge in Boston has issued a temporary restraining order, blocking key aspects of the plan that stems from a March executive order by President Donald Trump. The order requires states to provide the USPS with voter lists and mandates specific barcode requirements for ballot envelopes.
A whistleblower has alleged that the USPS is rushing the development of a complex, insufficiently tested electronic verification system in just three months. The whistleblower warned of 'catastrophic disruption,' noting that the system's 'zero percent failure rate' standard could lead to entire batches of thousands of ballots being rejected if even a single barcode fails to scan correctly.
While the USPS maintains that its work is consistent with court orders and is developing a Federal Ballot Mail Portal to assist election officials, critics and state officials warn of mass disenfranchisement and logistical chaos. The Trump administration has appealed the judicial block to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, states like North Carolina are set to begin wide distribution of mail ballots this Friday, even as the legal landscape remains uncertain.
Entities
Donald Trump · Kathy Boockvar · North Carolina · Richard Blumenthal · Supreme Court of the United States · United States Postal Service
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 10 SOURCES] The proposed system requires states to provide the Postal Service with lists of voters receiving ballots for verification before delivery. www.joemygod.com · www.staradvertiser.com · fipa.bc.ca · postaltimes.com · townoffairfaxca.gov · +4 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] More than two dozen Democratic state attorneys general and voting rights organizations have challenged the executive order in court. www.staradvertiser.com · www.hawaiitribune-herald.com · enlacelatinonc.org
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The USPS is not currently performing verification procedures prior to acceptance, in accordance with a temporary restraining order. postaltimes.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The USPS has spent months developing a Federal Ballot Mail Portal to allow election officials to share lists of individuals receiving ballots. postaltimes.com · dmnews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A U.S. District Court order confirmed the Postal Service may continue developing the portal and communicating with states regarding voluntary design standards. postaltimes.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] A whistleblower alleges the USPS is rushing the development of a complex ballot screening system in only three months. fipa.bc.ca · www.governing.com · digitalchew.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] North Carolina is scheduled to begin wide distribution of mail ballots for the midterm elections this Friday. ca.news.yahoo.com · laist.com · triblive.com · www.independent.co.uk · krdo.com · +1 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Trump administration has appealed a federal court ruling to the Supreme Court to lift a block on the USPS mail voting plan. laist.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · fipa.bc.ca · wtxnews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The system's verification standard could result in entire batches of ballots being rejected if a single error is found. www.bellevuereporter.com · dmnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] A federal judge in Boston has temporarily barred the USPS from implementing new mail ballot regulations. wtxnews.com · fipa.bc.ca · laist.com