On June 2, 2026, USPS published a proposed rule requiring states to submit lists of every mail ballot voter with barcoded envelopes. USPS could refuse to deliver any ballot that does not match the list.
46 million Americans voted by mail in 2024. 37% of voters over 65 voted by mail, the highest rate of any age group. 42.5 million adults have a disability. 6 million military and overseas voters depend on mail ballots. For these voters, mail voting is the only option. Non-white voters' mail ballots are already rejected at twice the rate. 550,000 mail ballots were rejected in 2022. This rule adds another layer where ballots can be blocked.
The median election office budget is $17,691. This rule imposes $10,000 or more in barcode compliance costs per jurisdiction. 32% of election offices have no full-time staff. 75% of small jurisdictions have one person running the entire operation. No federal funding was provided.
In 2020, Postmaster General DeJoy removed 671 sorting machines and on-time delivery dropped from 92% to 69%. The NAACP secured a 2021 settlement requiring USPS to maintain election mail standards. On June 4, the NAACP filed a motion alleging this proposed rule violates that settlement.
Noncitizen voting is 0.0003% of ballots. Fewer than 500 cases in 160 million voters. The Voting Rights Act's preclearance system would have required federal review of this rule before it took effect. The Supreme Court removed that protection. Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Oppose this proposed rule. Submit public comments opposing it before July 2.
