North Carolina is sticking to its plans to start sending absentee ballots by mail on Friday, September 4, after a court ruling temporarily blocked a new U.S. Postal Service rule.
The rule establishes additional requirements for the mailing and processing of certain federal ballots. Critics warn that it could lead to delays in ballot processing and delivery.
Patrick Gannon, director of public information at North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE), he told Enlace Latino NC The state is maintaining its plans to begin sending ballots on September 4.
“Our office is confident that the plan to send absentee ballots to North Carolina voters who have requested them for this election, beginning September 4, as required by state law, will be carried out flawlessly and without incident,” Gannon added.
Gannon said voters don't need to do anything different because of the new USPS rule, as the regulation is not currently in effect.
President Donald Trump's administration is appealing the ruling, so the situation could change in the coming days.
What did the judge decide?
A federal judge temporarily blocked the implementation of the new USPS rule while a lawsuit filed by several states, including North Carolina, is being processed.
The decision prevents, for now, the Postal Service from implementing the new requirements while the legal process continues.
The Trump administration has appealed the ruling. Therefore, further court decisions could be made before the November election.
Related: Voting for the first time in 2026? Tips for participating in North Carolina elections
¿ Which USPS rule is in dispute?
The rule states new requirements for the mailing and processing of certain federal ballots.
Among other measures, election officials would have to provide USPS with information about the people to whom such ballots are sent.
The regulation also establishes requirements for the envelopes and barcodes used on the ballots.
According to the rule, failure to comply with the new requirements could affect the processing of certain ballots.
Voters would not have to enter this information themselves. The responsibility would fall to authorized election officials.
USPS maintains that the system would allow for more uniform verification and processing of mail related to federal elections.
The states that challenged the rule argue that the Postal Service is imposing requirements that could interfere with the administration of elections, a function that primarily belongs to the states.
The origin of the rule
The new US Postal Service rule on mail-in ballots originated from an executive order by President Donald Trump, but it was the USPS itself that drafted and published it.
Trump signed an executive order in March regarding the verification of citizenship and the integrity of federal electionsThe order asked the Postal Service to take measures regarding the handling of mail-in ballots.
Following that order, USPS proposed new rules and subsequently published a final version of the regulation, called “Ballot Mail for Federal Elections”.
North Carolina is involved in the lawsuit
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is one of the state attorneys general who sued the U.S. Postal Service to block the new rule on mail-in ballots.
The North Carolina Department of Justice argues that the rule could prevent eligible voters from receiving the ballots they legally requested in a timely manner.
The state is fighting the rule as its election officials prepare to begin sending out ballots.
Attorney General Jackson described the ruling as a temporary victory for the state. a post on X.
Jackson said the order temporarily prevents the Postal Service from implementing the new rule and stated that the court determined it could cause “irreparable harm,” would be “virtually impossible” to comply with, and would likely be unconstitutional.
Jackson also argued that the rule would have created problems in the electoral process.
“We stopped it for now,” Jackson wrote, adding that his office will continue to defend what he described as free and fair elections.
Related: Until when can I register to vote for the November 2026 general election in North Carolina?
What should I do if I want to vote by mail?
The North Carolina State Board of Elections is maintaining its schedule as normal so far.
Therefore, county election boards will begin sending out absentee ballots on September 4 to the voters who have requested them.
Voters will be able to continue requesting mail-in ballots until October 20th at 5 pmalthough officials suggest sending it in advance.
The State Board of Elections offers a online option and a paper form to request the ballot by mailIf you choose the paper form, you must deliver it in person or by mail to your county board of elections.
Voters who have already requested a ballot do not need to request it again due to the court ruling.
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