Administrative Nightmare Looms for Colorado Elections if Trump's Mail Ballot Order Succeeds A U.S. Postal Service rule proposed under President Donald Trump’s executive order to restrict mail voting could disrupt Colorado’s universal mail-in ballot system ahead of the 2024 general election. The order, which mandates states notify the Postal Service of voters planning to cast mail ballots and requires unique barcodes on ballot envelopes, has sparked concerns among election officials and advocates about its potential to create logistical chaos. While courts have blocked the executive order and its implementation, the Trump administration continues to appeal the rulings, leaving uncertainty about its future. Colorado, where over 92% of voters cast ballots by mail in the 2024 primary, relies heavily on this system. Election experts warn that drastic changes to the process in the same year as a major election would be a monumental challenge. The proposed rule would require states to submit lists of voters planning to use mail ballots, with the Postal Service refusing to deliver ballots in states that do not comply. This could lead to significant barriers for voters, particularly in a state where mail voting is both convenient and widely used. The executive order, issued in 2023, has faced immediate legal challenges. Courts have ruled that the order oversteps federal authority, as the Postal Service’s role is limited to mail delivery, not election administration. “Trump will not be able to use the Postal Service to control which voters receive a mail ballot,” said Colorado Attorney General Phil Griswold, who praised a June court ruling that blocked much of the order. He emphasized that states, not the federal government, are responsible for running elections.#trump_administration #colorado #phil_griswold #amanda_gonzalez #colorado_common_cause
