Postal rule would turn away noncompliant outbound federal ballots

Reporting and findings

1. reported

   CRS said compliance could raise postal and election-administration costs and noted concerns that the compressed schedule could create confusion. It noted that neither the order nor rule requires a process for an individual postal customer to appeal exclusion from a participation list.

   • Congressional Research Service via EveryCRSReport: USPS Ballot Mail Rule: Overview and Potential Impact, IF13297Potential Impact
2. documented

   The USPS final rule published August 26, 2026 requires new ballot-envelope standards and state-submitted voter participation lists. Noncompliant outbound federal ballot mailings would be returned to the authorized mailer for correction and resubmission.

   • U.S. Postal Service, Federal Register: Ballot Mail for Federal ElectionsDMM 705.24.3, 705.24.4 and 705.24.5
3. documented

   The August 28 CRS report explains that the rule's ballot-rejection provisions apply to outbound federal ballots, not completed ballots returned by voters. Primary elections, exclusively state or local elections, and covered military and overseas ballots are outside its scope.

   • Congressional Research Service via EveryCRSReport: USPS Ballot Mail Rule: Overview and Potential Impact, IF13297Ballot Verification Procedures and Potential Impact