The Assault on Voting Rights: 24 AGs Fight Back Against Postal Service Rule

By Fight For the People Weekly — Your Weekly Intelligence Source | Listen free

Less than four months before the 2026 midterm elections, a coalition of 24 state attorneys general is standing firm against what they call a “blatant attack on voting rights” — a proposed USPS rule that would give the federal government unprecedented control over who gets to vote by mail.

The Rule That Would Change Everything

On March 31, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order attempting to establish a national list of eligible voters — and directing the U.S. Postal Service to transmit mail ballots only to those on the list. The order went further, threatening states and elections officials with criminal prosecution and the loss of federal funding if they did not comply.

On June 2, 2026, USPS published a proposed rule titled “Ballot Mail for Federal Elections”. Under this rule:

USPS would create a centralized list of voter information
The agency would refuse to deliver ballots to any eligible voter not on that list
States would be required to turn over sensitive voter data to the Trump administration
Any state that failed to comply would have its ballots withheld by the Postal Service

Ranking Member Robert Garcia put it bluntly: “Conditioning the delivery of ballots with partisan voter data demands is unconstitutional, undemocratic, and will potentially disenfranchise millions of eligible voters across the country.”

The Courts Have Already Ruled — Twice

Here’s the thing: a federal judge already struck down Trump’s executive order in a lawsuit co-led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, with the order applying to 24 states total. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel confirmed that a federal judge issued an order barring that executive order from being enforced for the 2026 midterm elections.

Then, on July 1, 2026 — just last week — a federal judge ruled that the proposed USPS rule violated a settlement between USPS and the NAACP requiring expedited mail-in ballot handling.

Yet USPS has still not rescinded its proposed rule.

24 AGs: “This Is an Unconstitutional Power Grab”

On July 2, California Attorney General Rob Bonta co-led a coalition of 24 attorneys general in filing a formal comment letter opposing the rule. The coalition argues that:

The proposed rule violates the federal court’s order enjoining USPS from finalizing it
The Constitution does not allow the President to unilaterally impose changes to federal election procedures without an act of Congress
The rule conflicts with USPS’s governing statutes and other federal voting laws
It would run afoul of the Privacy Act of 1974 by demanding sensitive voter data

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones didn’t mince words: “This refusal to rescind the proposed rule is a blatant attack on voting rights and part of a larger effort to create confusion and chaos ahead of the 2026 midterms. The people will not let these strikes on fundamental rights go without a fight.”

Michigan AG Dana Nessel added: “The Trump administration has spent more than a year scheming to hijack state elections in an attempt to sow chaos and suppress votes. Thankfully, time and again, my office and a coalition of attorneys general have defeated them in court.”

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser called it “another unlawful attempt by the Trump administration to seize control of elections that are administered by the states.”

The Supreme Court’s Role

This fight comes against the backdrop of a Supreme Court that has dramatically reshaped elections in recent months. In April, the Court’s conservative supermajority significantly weakened the Voting Rights Act’s last pillar — the protection requiring states to draw districts ensuring minority voting power.

The Congressional Black Caucus condemned the ruling, stating: “Two months after the Trump Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais gutted key protections of the Voting Rights Act, the Court’s conservative supermajority has taken another step to threaten the rights of Black and minority voters.”

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report had previously rated 217 House seats as leaning Democratic. After the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act ruling sparked a push to redistrict, it now lists just 206 House seats as leaning toward Democrats — meaning Democrats need to win at least 12 of 18 toss-ups to gain control.

What Happens Next

The proposed rule would enact these unconstitutional changes before the 2026 election. Implementing them would require states to upend their existing election administration procedures and conduct statewide voter education mere months before mail voting begins.

As the attorneys general warn, such drastic and rapid changes would “undoubtedly create confusion, chaos, and distrust in state election systems, threatening to disenfranchise eligible voters.”

And here’s the irony: voters of all parties, in all states, and of every background utilize mail-in voting — including the President himself.

The Bottom Line

The proposed USPS rule is an unconstitutional power grab that would give the federal government control over who gets to vote by mail. It has already been struck down by federal courts — twice. Yet the Trump administration is pressing forward, threatening to disenfranchise millions of eligible voters just months before the midterms.

The 24 attorneys general are fighting back. But they can’t do it alone. The people must pay attention. The people must speak out. And the people must act.

What You Can Do Right Now

Check Your Voter Registration Status. Make sure you and everyone in your household are registered to vote. Visit your state’s election website or use a nonpartisan tool like Vote.org to confirm your registration and update your address if needed.

Contact Your State’s Attorney General. Let them know you support their fight against federal overreach. A quick phone call or email to your state AG’s office sends a powerful message that voters are watching.

Speak Out About the USPS Rule. Public comment on the proposed rule is still open. Visit the USPS rulemaking portal and submit your concerns. Tell them this rule is unconstitutional, undemocratic, and threatens the foundation of free and fair elections.

Talk to Your Neighbors. Have conversations with family, friends, and neighbors about what’s at stake. Many people don’t know about this attack on voting rights. Spread the word and make sure everyone is prepared to vote in November.

Support the Fight For the People PAC. Support Democrats at every level of government and in every corner of the country who will defend the right to vote. Chip in whatever you can and or sign up to volunteer you can at fightforthepeople.pac and democrats.org. Join the fight for a better America. Be the voice that cannot be bought.

Sources: California Attorney General’s Office, Michigan Attorney General’s Office, Virginia Attorney General’s Office, Colorado Attorney General’s Office, ABA Journal, Congressional Black Caucus, House Oversight Committee Democrats, Vital Law

Coming Up Tomorrow — DAY 3 (Friday, July 10): Healthcare Under Siege: Obamacare Premiums Set for 14% Jump