The U.S. Postal Service, already struggling with a massive cash shortfall, now confronts an executive order from President Trump aiming to restrict mail ballot distribution. This directive, immediately challenged by over 20 states as unconstitutional, seeks to limit the agency to sending ballots only to voters deemed eligible by a federal list. Postmaster General David Steiner warned Congress the agency could exhaust funds in under a year.

This political entanglement arrives as Steiner attempts to stabilize finances, including a recently proposed 5 percent postage rate increase aimed at offsetting operational losses. Experts suggest implementing the executive order, which requires the agency to verify eligibility against lists compiled by Homeland Security, would impose substantial new responsibilities without corresponding funding. Such a mandate clashes with the USPS's historical operational independence.

Steiner insists the service will adhere to the final ruling from courts or Congress regarding the directive's legality, affirming they will continue mailing ballots regardless. Former officials assert the agency is not bound by executive orders, arguing the mandate is legally novel and logistically immense. The core issue pits election administration authority, constitutionally held by states, against executive action.

Implementing such a system would require unique markings and complex cross-referencing between federal lists and state voter rolls, creating immense administrative difficulty. The Postal Service maintains it will not participate in compiling the eligibility lists, only acting on directives provided to them under the law.