As recently reported by The Seattle Times, “[imagine] this: The U.S. Postal Service sending lists to states saying who is allowed to vote. Prosecutions of local elected officials who don’t follow new federal voting procedures. The end of Washington state’s longstanding practice of counting ballots received after Election Day.”
The federal government is taking action to try to make this a reality.
President Trump’s March 2026 executive order attempts to limit access to voting by mail, and ordered the USPS to issue regulations to reshape vote-by-mail standards. On June 2, 2026, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) proposed a new federal rule which would allow USPS to control who receives ballots and who can vote.
This rule would require states to send the USPS lists of all registered voters who request mail-in and absentee ballots. If the post office determines that any voter on the list isn’t eligible, USPS would refuse to accept and deliver the ballot.
Additionally, if any state doesn’t send in its voting list, the post office could refuse to send its ballots.
Washington state was second in the country to allow all mail-in voting. This safe and secure vote-by-mail system was originally championed with bipartisan support and is popular with voters because of how it improves access to democracy.
This is an attack on our free and democratic elections — and another illegal attempt to control the results of our elections.
This rule violates the Constitution and federal law by taking away the role of states in running their own elections. And it violates USPS’ own mandate to deliver the mail to everyone in the US, unless Congress passes a law otherwise.
Make no mistake: this rule will disenfranchise voters. But we can say hands off our vote. USPS is accepting comments on its rule through July 2, 2026 by 2:00pm PT via email. Take action today to protect our vote.
Take Action
Step 1: Create a sample comment to get ideas flowing.
Step 2: Tailor, edit, and make your comment specific to your own experiences, expertise, and concerns. Then submit your comment via email to PCFederalRegister@usps.gov.
Your email should be titled: Ballot Mail
They must contain your name and your address.
Comments are due by July 2, 2026 by 2:00pm PT.
Want to learn more about what public comments and why they matter? Click on the questions below to learn more.
Intro to Public Comments
When federal agencies change policies, they must allow the public to comment on how this will affect them. Typically, this means the public gets 30 to 60 days to submit comments.
Comments are important for two key reasons:
First, they give the agency more information and insight as to how the regulations will affect them. In previous administrations, for agencies staffed by people who care about the impact of their work on communities, this is a critical step to gather information.
Second, comments are public record. Even if the agency ignores the comments and enacts the rule anyway, an ensuing lawsuit can use the comments as proof that the agency did not take public will into account.
Anyone can submit a comment – including people who are not citizens yet.
The one thing you do need is an email address.
The most effective comments are the ones that you make your own. The best comments share how this rule change affects you, your family, or someone you know. Share your story and personalize your comments.
Be clear about the specific harm caused be a rule change you’re opposing.
Also know duplicative comments will be deleted, so only submit your comment once.
Finally, your voice matters. Submitting a public comment is one way to have yours heard.
Step 1: Write your comment. For the rules listed below, we have comment generators that can help, but feel free to make it your own!
Step 2: Submit your comment. Copy your comment from the generator, make any edits you’d like, and then submit it as an individual.