The U.S. Postal Service is considering a new regulation that could halt the delivery of mail ballots to voters in states that decline to provide absentee voter lists to the federal government. Postmaster General David Steiner confirmed the proposal before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, stating that under the proposed rule, the Postal Service would not mail ballots if a state refused to share its absentee voter information.
This proposal stems from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in March, which directed the Postal Service to develop regulations requiring states to furnish lists of eligible voters at least 60 days before federal elections. The administration has stated its objective is to prevent mail voting fraud and ensure ballots are sent only to eligible individuals. Political consultant Matt Klink called the requirement a reasonable step to enhance election confidence, arguing that verifying recipients is crucial.
The potential impact is significant for California, where all active registered voters automatically receive mail ballots. With over 22 million registered voters in the state, millions of ballots could be affected if California officials refuse to comply with the federal request on constitutional, legal, or privacy grounds.
Election data expert Paul Mitchell expressed skepticism about the legality of such a rule, predicting that any attempt to withhold ballot delivery would likely face legal challenges. Mitchell argued that election administration is a state responsibility and questioned the federal government's authority to use the Postal Service to influence state election practices. He warned that if the rule were implemented, California might need to expand ballot drop boxes, voting centers, and in-person polling locations to maintain voter turnout, potentially incurring significant costs. He also suggested that alternative ballot delivery methods might be explored if mail service became unreliable.
Democrats have also criticized the plan, viewing it as federal overreach into a traditionally state-managed area. California Sen. Alex Padilla, formerly the state's secretary of state, stated that the mandate could jeopardize voting access nationwide, preventing millions of eligible voters from casting their ballots by mail. Democrats on the Senate panel questioned the Postal Service's legal authority to enforce election-related mandates. Steiner acknowledged the agency does not administer elections but maintained the proposal is a procedural safeguard. Sen. Elissa Slotkin urged Steiner to resist the effort, calling the Postal Service a vital institution not to be used as a political tool.
The proposed regulation is currently undergoing a 30-day public comment period. According to Trump's executive order, the Postal Service is expected to finalize the rule by the end of July, potentially setting the stage for legal disputes between the federal government and states ahead of future elections. This initiative comes amid ongoing Republican scrutiny of California's election system, where prolonged ballot counting timelines have been cited to allege fraud without evidence. Election experts note that these extended counts are a result of California's focus on voter access, which includes accepting ballots postmarked by Election Day and requiring verification of signatures on millions of mail-in envelopes.