Trump’s new US mail voting rules take effect as states warn of midterm disruption

New U.S. Postal Service rules for mailed ballots took effect on Thursday, requiring election authorities to assign unique bar codes to ballot envelopes and submit voter information through a new federal portal. These rules also mandate a review of envelope designs. State and local election officials are now working to comply with these requirements ahead of the November midterm elections, as millions of ballots are set to be sent to voters. The Postal Service has the authority to reject outgoing federal election ballots if these new rules are not met, raising concerns that administrative or technical issues could prevent eligible voters from receiving their ballots. Election officials are reportedly seeking to comply or are attempting to persuade a federal judge to intervene.