The U.S. Postal Service is proposing new rules that would mandate states to provide voter names, addresses, and unique ballot barcodes for mail-in ballots in federal elections. This initiative follows President Trump’s executive order aimed at enhancing mail-in voting security.
The proposal seeks to establish official logos, tracking barcodes, and a reporting system to link voters to their ballots, which critics argue could suppress votes, while proponents hail it as an election integrity measure.
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The U.S. Postal Service has put forth a new proposal that would require states to furnish voter-level data for mail-in ballots in federal elections. This development comes hot on the heels of President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at tightening rules for mail-in voting, and just a day after a federal judge declined to block its mail-voting provisions.
Under the proposed rules, states would be mandated to provide the Postal Service with the names and addresses of individuals receiving mail-in or absentee ballots. Crucially, this would also include unique barcodes linked to both the outbound and return ballot envelopes for each voter. The USPS states this measure would enable better tracking of mailed ballots and facilitate comparisons with returned ballots, thereby helping to identify potential issues for further scrutiny.
The new regulations would be applicable to general, special, and runoff federal elections, though they would not extend to primaries or ballots sent to military and overseas voters. This marks a significant shift for the USPS, moving from recommending best practices for ballot mailings to enforcing them for federal elections. The requirements would encompass official logos, tracking barcodes, and a system to link voters to specific envelopes.
A mail-in ballot featuring California's Proposition 50 is seen in this illustration taken in Encinitas, California, U.S., October 21, 2025.
Mike Blake | Reuters
The USPS plans to establish state-specific "Mail-In and Absentee Participation Lists" via a new Federal Ballot Mail Portal, utilizing the data collected. Furthermore, the proposal would grant the USPS the authority to return federal ballot mailings that do not comply with the new standards or are not associated with state-submitted voter lists. It is important to note that states would retain control over voter eligibility for mail-in voting, as election oversight is primarily a state function.
This proposed rule is a direct consequence of Trump's March 31 executive order, which directed the USPS to initiate a rulemaking process for mail-in and absentee ballot services. The administration views these measures as essential for election integrity. However, Democrats and voting rights groups have voiced strong opposition, arguing that the order encroaches on states' electoral authority and could impede mail-in voting accessibility. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has denounced the rule as a "malicious attempt by the Trump administration to suppress the votes of millions and try to throw the election results."
The proposed rule is slated for publication in the Federal Register on June 2, with a 30-day public comment period following its release.
