Alabama, 12 Other States Back USPS Ballot Security Rule

Alabama is leading a coalition of 13 States urging the United States Postal Service to adopt new standards for handling mail-in ballots in federal elections, arguing the proposed changes would strengthen election security while preserving State control over the voting process.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall filed a comment letter last week, signed by 13 States, supporting the Postal Service's proposed rule, which would establish nationwide standards for mailed ballots, including standardized envelope designs, unique tracking barcodes and a new auditing mechanism for mail-in voting. The coalition argues those changes would improve ballot security once ballots leave the custody of State election officials.

The proposal follows President Donald Trump's Executive Order directing federal agencies to pursue additional safeguards for federal elections. It would apply to federal General elections and is intended to improve ballot tracking and chain-of-custody procedures through the Postal Service. The proposal has drawn both support and legal challenges since its release.

"States are the leaders in regulating elections, and yet despite our best efforts to enact policies to deter and detect fraud, voter fraud continues to be a problem. We appreciate the federal government lending a helping hand to shore up our elections and help States provide Americans with confidence in our system," Marshall said.

Marshall also pointed to Alabama's own experience with absentee ballot fraud.

"Let's be clear, we run our elections well in Alabama, but this is still happening right here in our State, with multiple documented cases of absentee ballot fraud just in the past year. And while we in Alabama can do all we can to secure our elections, Alabamians deserve to know that national elections held in other States are also secure since they affect us as well."

The Attorneys General contend that States maintain full constitutional authority over ballots until they enter the Postal Service's possession. Once ballots are mailed, they argue, the State's direct chain of custody ends, creating vulnerabilities the proposed rule is designed to address.

Under the proposal, States could use standardized ballot envelopes paired with unique barcodes that allow ballots to be tracked through the mail system. The Postal Service also proposes creating what supporters describe as the first nationwide auditing framework for mailed ballots in federal elections.

The coalition's comment letter concludes:

"In short, we support the Service's proposed rule in full. It addresses real vulnerabilities inherent in mail-in voting, responds to legitimate and widespread public concerns about federal election integrity, and equips States with tools that strengthen their own oversight capabilities without displacing their authority. We urge the Service to promptly finalize the rule."

In the letter, Marshall and 13 other Attorneys General argued the Postal Service should focus on improving ballot security through tracking technology, standardized ballot mail and stronger chain-of-custody procedures while respecting States' constitutional authority over elections. Those recommendations closely mirror the current USPS proposal.

Joining Alabama in the latest filing were the Attorneys General from Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas.

The proposed rule remains subject to ongoing litigation. Federal judges have temporarily blocked portions of the broader federal effort tied to President Trump's Executive Order while challenges continue in court.