24 States Sue to Block USPS Mail-In Voting Rule

A coalition of 24 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, seeking to block a new U.S. Postal Service rule that tightens regulations for mail-in voting ahead of the November midterm elections. The legal challenge, filed in federal court in Massachusetts, argues the rule exceeds executive authority, conflicts with federal law, and intrudes on states' constitutional power to administer elections.

The lawsuit targets a final rule published by the Postal Service on August 22, 2026, which implements parts of an executive order President Donald Trump signed on March 31, 2026. The rule requires states to redesign ballot envelopes with trackable barcodes and to submit lists of eligible voters, including names and addresses, through an online portal. According to the Postal Service, the system is intended to help election officials and law enforcement identify potentially suspicious activity and provide greater uniformity across mail-voting systems. The agency emphasized it would not determine voter eligibility, maintain voter rolls, or count ballots.

The states contend the rule is an unlawful overreach that usurps their authority....