USPS Will Not Deliver Ballots to States That Refuse To Turn Over Voter Lists

Postmaster General David Steiner told the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will no longer deliver mail-in ballots in states that refuse to turn over their voter lists to the federal government.

Adhering to an executive order (EO) issued by President Donald Trump in Mar. 2026, Steiner defended the newly proposed directive during a committee hearing, saying that it will ensure that “the right ballots are going to the right people.”

Democratic lawmakers criticized the policy, arguing that the measure was unconstitutional and "another backdoor way of trying to influence this election."

Steiner Affirms That USPS Will Not Mail Ballots If States Don't Adhere

"Yes or no -- if a state refuses to turn their absentee voter list over to the federal government, will the Postal Service still mail their ballots under this proposed rule?" Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), the committee’s top Democrat, asked Steiner.

"Under our proposed regulation, no. We would tell the state that we need the manifest," Steiner replied.

Trump Administration's Efforts To Tighten Elections

On Mar. 31, 2026, President Trump issued EO 14399, titled “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections.”

The order directs the Postmaster General to propose a policy within 60 days of the proclamation, “specifying that the USPS shall not transmit mail-in or absentee ballots from” any voter unless they “are enrolled on a State-specific list” overseen by the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration.

In early June 2026, USPS proposed an amendment to the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), to align with the president’s EO.

According to the proposal, states would need to provide USPS with the names, addresses, and “unique ballot envelope identifiers” of individuals seeking to obtain a mail-in ballot.

While the list of information the new policy demands is less than what’s included in a state’s voter rolls, it still adheres to the Trump administration’s efforts to increase federal oversight of elections.