The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 9, 2026
Recently, a federal court allowed – for now – President Trump’s executive order governing mail-in ballots. The US Postal Service has been tasked with implementing much of the order, and USPS just proposed how the process will work.
The March 31st order is widely seen as violating the Elections Clause of the U.S. Constitution, and a challenge by 23 states for violating state and federal privacy rules is still pending. May 29th, another federal court allowed the order to move forward, since no voters had yet been harmed.
First, the Department of Homeland Security will provide to states a “State Citizenship List” derived from federal and state sources, including immigration, Social Security, the SAVE database, and QUOTE, “other relevant federal databases.”
USPS proposes that states provide a list of eligible mail-in voters prior to the election, each of whom will be assigned a unique tracking number and corresponding bar code. Both USPS and election officials would incorporate the tracking number and bar code into their ballot tracking systems. USPS would ensure, QUOTE, “… that individuals who receive a mail-in or absentee ballot are included on the State-Specific Participation Lists when delivering or receiving ballots.” The Post Office says it would not question eligibility if a voter appeared on the state’s list.
What could possibly go wrong? More on that tomorrow. We’ve linked the USPS proposal at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
The White House – ENSURING CITIZENSHIP VERIFICATION AND INTEGRITY IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS
U.S. Postal Service via The Federal Register – Proposal to Comply President Trump’s Executive Order: POSTAL SERVICE 39 CFR Part 111 Ballot Mail for Federal Elections
CyberScoop – USPS moving forward with mail-in ballot changes as courts weigh Trump’s election order
Brennan Center for Justice – Analyzing the President’s Executive Order on Mail Voting
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – Federal Court Allows Trump Order Federalizing Mail-In Voting Rules to Proceed Because Voters Haven’t Been Harmed – Yet
American Democracy Minute – Trump Issues Executive Order Attempting to Federalize Mail-In Voting Rules and Establish ‘State Citizenship List’. It’s Beyond His Authority.
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause, National Vote at Home Institute, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, American Postal Workers Union
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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