What to Know About Mail-In Voting for the 2026 Midterms

Key Points:

• The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to impose new USPS rules on mail-in voting for the November midterm elections, stating the government was unlikely to succeed on the merits of its challenge, though two justices dissented.
• The proposed USPS rule would have required states to meet specific criteria for mail-in ballots, including envelope design and voter data uploads, with noncompliant states potentially having ballots rejected, but election officials argued it was impossible to implement in time.
• The ruling means states will continue their current mail-in voting procedures, with experts emphasizing that mail-in voting remains safe, secure, and accessible for eligible voters across the country.
• Mail-in voting eligibility and procedures vary by state, with some states mailing ballots to all registered voters and others requiring a valid excuse; voters are advised to carefully follow state-specific instructions, meet deadlines, and consider using ballot drop boxes or tracking tools.
• Voters who request mail-in ballots but later decide to vote in person can usually do so, provided they bring their mail ballot and envelope to cancel the mail-in vote, and in some states, voters may be able to change their vote if the mail ballot has not yet been accepted.