USPS Finalizes 95-Page Mail-Ballot Rule Despite Injunction — Judge Finds Violation (2026-08-21)

The U.S. Postal Service finalizes its roughly 95-page rule tightening mail-in ballot handling just weeks before the November midterms, despite a sitting nationwide injunction blocking implementation of the executive order's Section 3. The final rule imposed the new "Official Election Mail" classification, Intelligent Mail barcode tracking requirements tied to create a de facto federal voter registry, and curbs on ballot delivery. Judge Talwani subsequently ruled the agency violated her August 11 injunction by issuing the rule. The move established the final agency action opponents could challenge on the merits, setting up the Supreme Court showdown. Trump-appointed postmaster David Steiner, who had replaced Louis DeJoy in June, had already said the agency would refuse to deliver mail ballots to jurisdictions refusing to turn over voter lists.