Postmaster General David Steiner confirmed Wednesday that the U.S. Postal Service will not deliver mail ballots in states that refuse to provide voter data to the federal government under a newly proposed rule tied to President Trump’s mail ballot policy.
During a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, Steiner answered directly when asked by Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) whether the Postal Service would mail ballots to a state that declines to turn over its voter list. “Under our proposed regulation, no,” Steiner replied, adding that USPS would require states to provide “the manifest.”
The proposed rule stems from Trump’s March 2026 executive order directing USPS to require states to submit lists of voters eligible for mail-in and absentee ballots at least 30 days before any federal elections. If voters’ names do not appear on the state-provided list, they would not receive ballots. Trump’s order framed the requirement as a measure to prevent mail-in voter fraud.
Democrats on the committee challenged Steiner’s position, arguing the rule represents an unconstitutional federal takeover of election administration. Peters told Steiner the proposal would “coerce” states—particularly those like Oregon where mail voting is the default—into surrendering sensitive voter data to the Trump administration. “This is basically a back-door way for the federal government to get voting information that states control under the U.S. Constitution,” Peters said.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) directly urged Steiner to resist the policy. “Please push back on being a pawn in this authoritarian playbook,” she said. “The Postal Service is one of the most important institutions in our country. Don’t taint it with the obsession of this one man.”
Steiner defended the measure by characterizing it as a procedural precaution to ensure ballots reach only eligible voters. He acknowledged that USPS does not administer elections—a responsibility that falls to states under the Constitution—but said the rule was necessary for ballot integrity. He also stated that the Postal Service would comply with any court orders governing voting by mail.
The Trump administration’s push to restrict mail voting has faced significant legal obstacles. On June 25, a federal judge in Massachusetts blocked key provisions of Trump’s executive order, ruling that the policy would directly harm states’ ability to conduct elections. The judge allowed voting rights groups and Democratic state attorneys general to proceed with lawsuits challenging the order.
Multiple organizations have opposed the proposed USPS rule. The National Association of Letter Carriers said the proposal “exceeds USPS’s legal authority,” and voting rights advocates have warned it threatens mail voting access. The Brennan Center for Justice and the League of Women Voters have called the proposal unconstitutional.
Trump’s executive order directs USPS to issue a final rule by the end of July 2026. The proposal is currently undergoing a 30-day public comment period. The ongoing legal challenges mean the policy’s implementation remains uncertain as the 2026 midterm elections approach.
Sources
- The Hill — Postmaster General Steiner’s confirmation during Senate hearing that USPS will not deliver ballots without voter data.
- Democracy Docket — Detailed reporting on Steiner’s testimony, the proposed rule requirements, and Democratic opposition.
- NPR — Federal judge’s blocking of Trump’s mail-voting executive order and USPS proposal.
- Votebeat — Judge Indira Talwani’s ruling against the executive order and USPS implementation efforts.
