Published rule
That is the official published text of the rule.
Key provisions of the final rule
Ballot Mail for Federal Elections, 91 Fed. Reg. 54966 (Aug. 26, 2026), Document 2026-17238. Official text:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/26/2026-17238/ballot-mail-for-federal-elections
The rule adds DMM § 705.24. It applies to mail-in/absentee ballots for
federal elections sent through USPS. It does
not apply to UOCAVA (military/overseas) ballots or to primaries as structured in the rulemaking. Combined federal/state ballots are covered unless a state separates them.
1. Envelope standards (DMM 705.24.3)
Outbound and return Federal Ballot Mail envelopes must:
- Carry the Official Election Mail logo
- Be automation-compatible
- Bear a unique Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) with Delivery Point ZIP Code and a Federal Ballot Mail Service Type Identifier (STID)
- Be submitted for USPS mailpiece design review
2. Federal Ballot Mail Portal and lists (DMM 705.24.4)
States that want USPS to carry their federal mail ballots must enroll authorized users and submit, for each voter receiving a mailed ballot:
- Name
- Address
- Issuing state
- Unique IMb for the outbound envelope
- Unique IMb for the return envelope
That data builds the state’s Mail-In and Absentee Participation List. Submissions are generally due about 30 days before the election where practicable, with supplements allowed until the last day ballots may be mailed under state law. USPS returns a compiled list to the state; it says it does not alter the state’s list contents or decide voter eligibility.
3. Pre-acceptance verification (DMM 705.24.5)
Before accepting an outbound mailing, USPS checks the
exterior IMb against Portal data and the design standards.
Personnel are
not authorized to open sealed mail.
Non-compliant mailings are
not accepted and are returned to the mailer for correction.
4. Consequence of non-compliance
If a state does not submit the required data or does not use compliant envelopes, USPS will not accept/transmit that federal ballot mail. That is the operational enforcement tool.
5. What USPS says it will not do
- Open sealed envelopes or inspect ballot contents
- Collect party affiliation
- Determine who is eligible to vote by mail (states keep that decision)
- Change the information the state submitted
6. Implementation note in the published rule
The document still recites that USPS would not implement for the Nov. 3, 2026 election until relief from the then-pending injunctions. Subsequent court action this week has changed that posture; check current injunction status separately from the text of the rule itself.
Fact Check: Misleading Framing & Omissions
Major Update: The Article is Now Obsolete
