The USPS acknowledged in the text of the final rule — posted on the Federal Register's public inspection site — that injunctions issued by federal courts in California and Massachusetts currently bar it from moving ahead with the changes. Those injunctions were obtained by voting rights groups and state officials who argued that the new requirements would impose an unlawful burden on mail-in voting and could disenfranchise voters.
The rule would require states to submit verification data about individual voters — such as residency and citizenship status — to the USPS before the agency processes ballot delivery requests. Proponents of the measure argue it is necessary to prevent voter fraud and ensure only eligible voters receive ballots. Opponents counter that it creates a bureaucratic hurdle that could delay ballot delivery and suppress turnout, particularly among minority and rural voters.
The March executive order from Trump directed federal agencies to take all available steps to ensure election integrity, including scrutinizing mail-in ballot procedures. The USPS, which has faced criticism in recent years over operational changes that slowed mail delivery, has said the rule is an effort to comply with that order.
Legal experts note that the USPS's decision to proceed with publication despite the existing injunctions is unusual. The agency may be preserving its ability to implement the rule quickly if the court orders are lifted on appeal. Alternatively, critics suggest the move is politically motivated and ignores the judiciary.
The midterm elections in November are expected to see high mail-in ballot usage, making the timing of this rule particularly contentious. Voting rights organizations have vowed to continue fighting the rule in court, and state election officials in several battleground states have expressed concern about the additional requirements. The USPS has not commented beyond the text of the rule.