Trump USPS mail-in ballot rule faces court challenge

The Trump administration's March 2026 executive order directs USPS to restrict mail-in and absentee ballot delivery from states that do not provide eligible voter lists to federal authorities.

A three-judge DC Circuit panel temporarily lifted a lower court order blocking USPS from moving ahead with proposed changes to election mail handling.

A separate federal court order continues to block the broader executive order behind the changes.

Postmaster General David Steiner defended the policy as ensuring ballots go to the right people, citing unsubstantiated concerns about voter fraud.

The appeals court ruled USPS faced irreparable harm without the rule before the November elections, but the policy's ultimate legality remains unresolved.