The U.S. Postal Service proposal on ballot mail is still open for public comment, and coalition partners are encouraging organizations and individuals to respond before the deadline.

This is still a proposed rule. It is not final. Nothing has changed about how Michigan voters cast absentee ballots right now. Michigan voters can continue using existing absentee voting procedures under current state law.

VAAC previously shared an overview of the USPS proposal and what Michigan voters should know. You can read that background here: https://votingaccessforall.org/2026/06/usps-proposal-would-give-postal-service-new-role-in-mail-ballot-delivery-process/

What the proposal would do

The USPS proposal is tied to President Donald Trump’s 2026 executive order on elections. Under the proposal, state election officials would have to provide USPS with information about voters who requested absentee or mail ballots before those ballots are mailed. USPS would then use that information as part of the process for accepting and transmitting ballot mail for federal elections.

Coalition partners are concerned that the proposal would put USPS between local election officials and eligible voters. USPS is responsible for receiving, transmitting, and delivering mail. State and local election officials are responsible for administering elections, determining voter eligibility, and managing ballot distribution.

Our message is clear: The U.S. Postal Service is a neutral mail carrier, not an overseer of ballot distribution.

Take action by July 2

Organizations and individuals can submit public comments urging USPS to defend the independence of election systems and uphold its responsibility to receive, transmit, and deliver the mail.

Comments are due by 5:00 PM ET on Thursday, July 2.

You can submit a comment in one of two ways:

• Use Stand Up America’s letter submission tool: https://act.standupamerica.com/letters/cte-usps-proposed-rule/
• Or email your comment to PCFederalRegister@usps.gov with the subject line “Ballot Mail.” Emailed comments must include the name and address of the commenter.

What to say in your comment

Public comments are strongest when they are written in your own words. You do not need to write a long comment. A few sentences about how mail voting affects you, your family, or your community can be useful.

You may want to include:

• How you use absentee voting or why the option is important to you.
• Whether mail voting helps because of work, caregiving, disability, transportation, age, military service, rural distance, or another access need.
• Any concern that errors, outdated information, or administrative problems could keep eligible voters from receiving their ballots.
• Why you believe USPS should focus on reliable ballot delivery and leave voter eligibility and ballot distribution decisions to state and local election officials.
• Mail voting is a secure, accurate, and widely used way for eligible voters to cast their ballots. According to States United Democracy Center, nearly one-third of Americans voted by mail in the 2024 general election, accounting for more than 48 million votes. 

Nothing has changed in Michigan

The proposed USPS rule has not been finalized. Michigan voters should continue following current Michigan absentee voting procedures.

VAAC encourages voters to use official sources for voting information, including the Michigan Department of State, your city or township clerk, and trusted nonpartisan voter assistance resources.