U.S. Postal Service Moves Forward with Crack Down on Mail-In Ballots

Another major component of the proposal involves the creation of Mail-In and Absentee Participation Lists. States choosing to participate would submit lists of voters authorized to receive mail-in ballots before federal elections. USPS would then maintain records of ballot recipients and assign unique ballot envelope identifiers associated with those voters. The system is intended to ensure that ballots are transmitted only to authorized recipients and that every ballot can be tracked from mailing to delivery.

The order further proposes that USPS not transmit mail-in or absentee ballots from individuals unless they are enrolled through the state-specific participation system outlined in the regulations. States would also be permitted to update and supplement these lists as elections approach. Beyond ballot tracking, the order directs the Department of Justice to prioritize investigations into election-related offenses, including instances in which ballots are issued to individuals who are not legally eligible to vote in federal elections. The Attorney General is instructed to focus enforcement efforts on violations involving election administration, ballot distribution, and fraudulent voting activity.