President Donald Trump insists the proposal he ordered would crack down on voter fraud, but Democrats call it an attempt to seize control of
Postal Service would restrict mail-in voting under Trump proposal, chief says
President Donald Trump insists the proposal he ordered would crack down on voter fraud, but Democrats call it an attempt to seize control of election administration ahead of crucial midterms.
By EMILIO PEREZ IBARGUEN
06/24/2026 03:06 PM EDT
The U.S.โ chief mailman told lawmakers Wednesday that his agency would restrict the delivery of mail-in ballots in states that donโt hand over a list of eligible voters, in line with proposed rules ordered by President Donald Trump.
Postmaster General David Steiner dismissed Senate Democratsโ concerns that the floated regulations are an attempt by Trump to federalize elections, instead characterizing the proposal as an assurance that โthe right ballots are going to the right peopleโ during an appearance before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Though any new rule must be approved by the agencyโs board of directors, Steinerโs public support is a boost for the presidentโs efforts to curtail voting by mail, which he has long characterized as susceptible to fraud. Trump issued an executive order in late March mandating the agency propose a rule requiring states to provide the Postal Service with a list of all eligible voters at least 60 days ahead of any federal election.
The proposal comes ahead of the November midterms, contests which usually see the presidentโs party lose seats in Congress. Republicans on the Hill have expressed growing consternation with their electoral chances they say are being hampered by Trumpโs domestic agenda and a deeply unpopular war.
Democrats questioned whether USPS has the constitutional authority to enforce such a rule, arguing that the job of administering elections is delegated to the states.
Steiner, for his part, agreed that the Postal Service is not responsible for administering elections but cast the rule as a procedural step for ensuring ballots are only sent to eligible voters.
