The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced new rules for mail-in ballots, effective immediately, following an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump. The changes require that all absentee ballots be postmarked by Election Day and received within three days, a reduction from the previous seven-day window.
Key Changes to Ballot Processing
Under the revised guidelines, USPS will prioritize election mail but will no longer automatically forward ballots from voters who have moved. Instead, undeliverable ballots will be returned to election officials. Additionally, signature verification will be more rigorous, with mismatched signatures triggering a notification process that may leave voters little time to correct errors before the deadline.
Impact on Voters and Election Officials
Election officials in several states have expressed concern that the tighter timeline could disenfranchise voters, particularly those in rural areas or serving overseas. The USPS, however, maintains that the changes are necessary to ensure ballot integrity and timely delivery. A spokesperson stated, "These measures are designed to strengthen confidence in the mail system and uphold the security of every vote cast by mail."
The order also directs USPS to coordinate with state election boards to standardize ballot tracking, though no new federal funding has been allocated for implementation. Voting rights groups have signaled they may challenge the rules in court, arguing they impose undue burdens on voters.
