Shaheen Joins Senate Democratic Colleagues in Demanding USPS Abandon Proposed Rule to Carry Out President Trump’s Illegal Executive Order Restricting Voting by Mail

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in demanding the United States Postal Service (USPS) abandon its proposed rule to implement President Trump’s unconstitutional executive order to restrict voting by mail. Today’s letter follows Shaheen’s previous efforts in April to prevent USPS from carrying out the unlawful executive order, which would force states to submit absentee voters’ information to the Postal Service for the creation of a federal mail-in voter list. Under the order, USPS could refuse to deliver ballots to voters who are not included on that list, giving the agency an unprecedented and illegal role in the administration of American elections. USPS did not respond to that letter and has now issued a proposed rule that would ultimately allow the Postal Service to determine whether millions of Americans can receive and cast ballots through the mail. The Senators wrote, in part: “The Constitution provides no role for the President in regulating federal elections. And no statute delegates to the President any authority to regulate elections or voter eligibility either, including via USPS. By issuing the executive order, however, the President is attempting to unconstitutionally consolidate power to personally regulate American elections.” They continued: “These directives clearly infringe on the states’ and Congress’ constitutional role to regulate the manner in which federal elections are held and would deny eligible voters their ability to cast a ballot. The prohibition on transmitting ballots from individuals not on the absentee voter list acts as a ban on vote-by-mail for any state unwilling to share its absentee voter lists with USPS or any voter who happens to be excluded from the list. Furthermore, under this executive order, it is the Postal Service who will have the final say about whether to transmit a voter’s absentee ballots to election officials—granting USPS the ability to disenfranchise American voters.” The Senators concluded : “For over 250 years, the Postal Service has bound our country together with a constitutionally recognized mail service, and for 250 years, the American people have democratically elected their leaders. Any attempt to effectuate this order would violate the Constitution, break these bonds, and threaten the foundations of American democracy.” A copy of the full letter can be read HERE . Senator Shaheen was joined in sending the letter by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Democratic Leader, Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). Amid unprecedented attacks on voting rights by the Trump Administration, Shaheen has remained outspoken and continues to fight to protect the vote of every American citizen. Earlier this year, Shaheen took to the Senate floor to voice her strong opposition to the partisan SAVE America Act , which would prevent millions of eligible voters from exercising their civic duty. Shaheen also continues to push back against efforts in the Granite State to restrict students’ voting access. Throughout her time in the Senate, Shaheen has fought to protect America’s electoral system, including with legislation protecting election workers and her continued support of the John R. Lewis Voting Advancement Act . Shaheen for years has also led the Democracy for All Amendment , a constitutional amendment that would protect election integrity by overturning the Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United v. FEC , which opened the door to a flood of corporate and dark money in American elections that have diminished the voice of voters. ###