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ProPublica ·Behind the news

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

by Teddy Amenabar

Published 2026-09-16 17:15:00+00:00

What does it take for a piece of mail to actually become a counted vote?

0:00 / 10:57 · Narrator Vindemiatrix

Context

Just weeks before the midterm elections, the Supreme Court blocked a set of federal rules that would have changed how the postal service handles mail-in ballots. Writing on 16 September 2026, ProPublica steps back from the political fight over the decision to look at the practical reality left in its wake. The reporting clarifies exactly what the administration tried to change and why state election officials pushed back. Then, it shifts to the ground level, offering a clear guide on what voters actually need to do to ensure their ballots arrive and count.

Show notes

An overview of proposed Postal Service regulations for mail-in ballots and the Supreme Court decision blocking them ahead of the 2026 midterms. The report details the barcode and data requirements the rule would have imposed on state election offices. It also includes a practical guide for absentee voters, outlining state eligibility rules, ballot tracking, and procedures for switching to in-person voting.

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