What to know about mail-in voting and Trump’s order : NPR
NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-09-03 15:48:00 — www.npr.org
Trump’s Push to Restrict Mail-In Voting Faces Legal and Factual Challenges
President Trump directed the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to implement new restrictions on mail-in voting for the midterm election, claiming the move was necessary to stop illegal voting by non-U.S. citizens. This directive, issued through a March executive order, has become the subject of a heated legal battle and widespread scrutiny.
Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims
Trump’s justification for the USPS plan centers on preventing illegal voting by non-citizens. However, many studies and audits cited in the reporting show that illegal voting by non-U.S. citizens is “incredibly rare.” This directly contradicts the premise of Trump’s order and highlights a pattern of exaggeration regarding the prevalence of voter fraud.
The USPS Plan and Its Impact
Under the Trump administration’s plan, state election officials would be required to provide lists of mail-in voters’ names and addresses to USPS and include specific barcodes on ballot envelopes. USPS has stated it would not deliver ballots for election officials who do not comply. However, a federal judge in Boston has temporarily blocked key parts of the plan, meaning voting by mail remains available to eligible voters as usual for the upcoming midterms.
Concerns Over Disruption and Implementation
Election experts warn that it is too late to implement the USPS plan without causing significant disruptions. A whistleblower report alleges that USPS has not properly tested the online system intended to collect voter information and that new verification policies could prevent many voters from receiving their ballots in time—or at all.
Legal Arguments and Ongoing Court Battles
While USPS claims its revised rule is simply an effort to regulate mail, challengers argue the agency lacks authority to control voting by mail. The Supreme Court has ruled on a procedural aspect of the case but has not yet addressed the legality of Trump’s order or the USPS plan itself.
Conclusion
President Trump’s attempt to restrict mail-in voting is based on claims of widespread illegal voting by non-citizens—claims that are not supported by available evidence. As the courts continue to weigh the legality of the administration’s actions, key parts of the plan remain blocked, and mail-in voting is expected to proceed as normal for the midterms. This episode underscores the importance of fact-checking official claims and the ongoing debate over voting rights and election integrity.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/03/nx-s1-5955614/trump-mail-in-voting-ruling-court-usps