The U.S. Postal Service has stopped developing a computer system tied to President Donald Trump’s effort to change mail-voting procedures before the 2026 midterms. Postmaster General David Steiner says ordinary election-mail operations will continue, which is a reassuringly boring sentence in a year that has not specialized in boring.
The proposed portal would have used citizenship information supplied by states and required standardized ballot envelopes. Courts blocked the executive order behind the project, concluding that the administration could not impose those election rules through the Postal Service.
A whistleblower raised technical concerns
A report from inside the project described rushed development and unresolved flaws. Steiner defended the agency’s work while emphasizing that the additional responsibilities came from outside the Postal Service and that the system is no longer being built.
The agency will still encourage optional barcodes on ballot envelopes by offering lower processing fees. State and local election officials remain responsible for voter eligibility and ballot procedures.
The practical advice has not changed
Associated Press reported Steiner’s announcement on September 18, 2026. He recommended mailing ballots at least seven days before Election Day to reduce the risk of delivery delays.
The political argument will continue, but voters need the operational answer: existing election-mail procedures remain in effect. Read the instructions provided by your election office, use official tracking where available and do not let a campaign meme become your postal strategy.
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