A federal appellate court issued a ruling that upholds a new mail‑in ballot oversight rule proposed by the administration and the United States Postal Service.
The decision requires each state to submit a comprehensive list of eligible mail voters by a specified deadline and mandates that every ballot envelope carry a uniquely serialized barcode for outbound and return tracking.
Proponents of the rule argue that the barcode system will enhance transparency and accountability in the processing of mailed ballots.
The court concluded that the Postal Service presented a strong likelihood of success on the policy and determined that the rule was not yet ripe for constitutional or prudential review.
Judges also warned that postponing implementation could cause irreparable harm to the electoral process before the upcoming midterm elections.
In a separate case, several states challenged the rule on the basis that it interferes with state authority over election administration, prompting a district judge to issue a temporary halt.
While the appellate decision stands, the district court’s injunction remains in effect, reflecting the distinct legal arguments presented in the two lawsuits.
The oversight rule originates from an executive order issued in March that directed the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to compile state‑by‑state lists of eligible voters and instructed the Postal Service to deliver ballots only to those on the approved lists.
The order set an early‑August deadline for the Postal Service to propose a final rule implementing these requirements.
The rulings represent a notable development in the ongoing legal and policy debate over the federal role in managing mail‑in voting and election integrity.
