Oregon AG sues to block new USPS rule restricting mail-in ballots
OREGON (KTVZ) -- Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a lawsuit in federal court today challenging a new U.S. Postal Service rule that restricts mail-in ballot delivery to voters on a federal list.
Rayfield is joined in the legal action by a coalition of 23 states, the District of Columbia and the Governor of Pennsylvania.
The lawsuit follows an Aug. 24 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, which determined that a previous challenge by states was filed too early. The new complaint argues that the Postal Service rule violates the U.S. Constitution by interfering with state authority to administer elections, while also violating governing postal statutes, procedural requirements, the Privacy Act and federal voting rights laws.
The legal challenge stems from a March 31 executive order issued by President Donald Trump that directed the U.S. Postal Service to transmit mail-in ballots only to voters included on a federal list. On Aug. 21, the Postal Service announced a rule implementing the directive, requiring states to register eligible mail-in voters with the agency to create state-specific distribution lists.
Under the regulation, the Postal Service will not deliver ballots to voters who are not included on its lists. The rule also mandates new design standards for mail-in ballot envelopes that require Postal Service approval before use.
State election officials face administrative challenges ahead of the general election, including redesigning ballot envelopes, establishing voter list transmission systems, training election staff and issuing public guidance without additional federal funding.
Oregon became the first state in the nation to conduct fully vote-by-mail elections when it established the system more than 25 years ago. Rayfield, who serves as the state's chief legal officer, argued that federal interference threatens the state's election framework.
“The Constitution is clear: no President has the authority to take over or interfere with any state's elections,” Rayfield said. “We're not going to let Trump dictate who gets to vote and we're not going to let him put the Postal Service between Oregon voters and their ballots.”
Rayfield defended the state's long-standing voting procedures while addressing the pending election season.
“Oregonians have trusted vote-by-mail for more than 25 years because it works,” Rayfield said. “It's secure, it's convenient and it lets every eligible voter make their voice heard. This fall, Oregon voters will once again use an election system they know and can be proud of.”
The lawsuit asks the court to strike down the Postal Service rule and issue a temporary restraining order to prevent it from taking effect while litigation continues.
