Sign in

Jen Fifield

@jenafifield.bsky.social
9K followers 814 following 532 posts

ProPublica reporter covering voting, elections and democracy. Phoenix native. Mom of two. Send tips: In chat or on Signal: jenafifield.01

PostsRepliesMedia
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Important story from @lisalsong.bsky.social out today. An idea that the White House Office of Management and Budget has quietly proposed will have far-reaching implications on voter registration drives www.propublica.org/article/disa...
propublica.org
This White House Plan Threatens Funding That Helps Disabled Americans Vote
A new rule from the Office of Management and Budget would prohibit anyone from using federal grant money for voter registration drives. It’s part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to restr...
01512
Reposted by Jen Fifield
Polite Yet Ultimately Malevolent Mailman @usps.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
For reference, the average residential route gets somewhere between 0-3 certified letters per day. The generally estimated time added each day per cert is ~2 minutes. At 500ish registered voters per route, this would have added about 16 hours 40 mins per route, or 24 hours 40 mins per day.
2204
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
A Postal Service spokesperson declined to comment on the agency’s internal deliberations about the EO and said it was the Board of Governors’ policy not to discuss them. He referred ProPublica to an earlier statement by Postmaster General David Steiner: about.usps.com/newsroom/sta...
USPS Statement on Development of U.S. Federal Ballot Mail Portal 

We have received Senator Blumenthal’s letter and are carefully reviewing the concerns he and the whistleblower have raised. We appreciate the opportunity to address these questions and share additional information about the Postal Service’s work to support election officials and voters across the country.

The United States Postal Service has spent months developing a U.S. Federal Ballot Mail Portal to provide election officials with a simple, secure, and efficient way to share lists of individuals receiving ballots by mail in their respective states. This work has at all times been conducted in a manner consistent with court orders. Importantly, in an order issued by the U.S. District Court this week, the court expressly confirmed that the Postal Service may continue its work to establish the portal and communicate with states regarding design standards on a voluntary basis. Consistent with the temporary restraining order, verification procedures prior to acceptance are not being performed.

The Postal Service is now finalizing the portal and will soon make it available to election officials who voluntarily wish to familiarize themselves with the platform. USPS will also provide tools, presentations, and other resources to help election officials understand the platform and make informed decisions about whether and how they wish to use it.

The portal is just one part of a broader, year-round effort by the Postal Service to ensure that election mail and ballots are handled and delivered securely, reliably, and efficiently. USPS regularly works with election officials, mail service providers, and the broader mailing community to provide guidance on election-mail procedures, operational standards, and best practices.

Regardless of political party or perspective, we share a common goal: ensuring that Americans can have confidence that their election mail will be handled securely and delivered reliably…
1348
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
White House spokesperson Lauren Bis denied the administration had interfered improperly with the Postal Service. Bis also rejected the idea that the certified-mail proposal was “unworkable,” saying this played no part in the administration’s decision “to go in another direction.”
36613
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
NEW: Trump’s Mail-In Voting Plan Was Originally Far More Extreme, with @peterelkind.bsky.social @propublica.org www.propublica.org/article/trum...
propublica.org
The Untold Origins of Trump’s Plan to Sharply Restrict Mail-In Voting
ProPublica’s reporting reveals for the first time the extent of the White House’s role in trying to dictate how mail-in ballots are processed, spurring behind-the-scenes drama that played out for near...
18035
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The Postal Service objected - it would have been impossible to execute. Before the executive order came out, Postal Service officials were cut out of crucial conversations. Instead, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick served in an advisory role, ProPublica learned.
19019
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
According to several people knowledgeable about the discussions, the administration initially floated requiring all mail ballots nationally to be delivered exclusively through certified mail (which would have required voters to be home and sign for delivery of their ballots).
110226
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Exclusive: Earlier this month, the Supreme Court blocked an executive order restricting voting by mail in ways that could have thrown the upcoming midterms into chaos. But the White House originally had far more disruptive plans, @propublica.org has learned. 🧵
1276119
Reposted by Jen Fifield
Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The Trump administration floated an idea that would have virtually shut down mail voting: requiring all ballots to be delivered exclusively through certified mail, ProPublica has learned. by @jenafifield.bsky.social @peterelkind.bsky.social
propublica.org
The Untold Origins of Trump’s Plan to Sharply Restrict Mail-In Voting
ProPublica’s reporting reveals for the first time the extent of the White House’s role in trying to dictate how mail-in ballots are processed, spurring behind-the-scenes drama that played out for near...
15246154
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
As Supreme Court weighs new USPS mail voting rules, new audit finds a lack of training for post office staff, deficiencies in how ballots were tracked and errors leading to delays. Experts say it raises questions ahead of the midterms. Full story 👇
12410
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Reminder: We are digging into the proposed USPS rule on mail voting and want to know more about Trump's executive order on the matter. Contact our tip line at 917-512-0201 or reach out to me on Signal at jenafifield.01.
1152
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Exclusive @propublica.org: Some U.S. Postal Service facilities failed to properly handle ballots during primary elections, according to new audit. The findings come as the Supreme Court weighs whether to allow USPS to regulate mail ballots during the Nov election www.propublica.org/article/post...
propublica.org
U.S. Postal Service Failed to Properly Handle Some Ballots During This Year’s Primary Elections, Audit Finds
An inspector general’s audit found a lack of training for post office staff, deficiencies in how ballots were tracked and errors leading to delays. Experts say it raises questions ahead of the midterm...
26637
Reposted by Jen Fifield
Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
“USPS officials confirmed it was possible that one ballot with a bad barcode or wrong voter information within the more than 2 million ballots could delay the entire mailing, according to two people who attended the related committee meeting.”
710857
Reposted by Jen Fifield
Lisa Song @lisalsong.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
THE story to read today:
0226
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Exclusive from @propublica.org, details from inside USPS planning meetings that corroborate the whistleblower report warning of potential for mass disenfranchisement if mail voting regulations move forward for the midterms NEW: www.propublica.org/article/mail...
propublica.org
New Mail Voting Rules Moved Forward Despite USPS Officials’ Concerns About Mass Disenfranchisement
In internal meetings, officials worried the rules they were drafting could delay or block ballots from reaching large swaths of eligible voters for the upcoming midterms.
7290177
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
The full whistleblower disclosure is linked at the end here, with @blumenthal.senate.gov's letter on top: www.blumenthal.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
blumenthal.senate.gov
625789
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
If you have tips about the US Postal Service's effort to regulate mail voting in the midterms, please reach out. You can reach me securely on Signal at jenafifield.01 or contact our tip line at 917-512-0201.
10624340
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
10/ The Trump admininistration has argued in court that the plan is legal. Yesterday, federal Judge Indira Talwani denied the government's request to lift the temporary halt on the plan, but said that the USPS portal can move forward for states to upload data on a voluntary basis.
126559
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
9/ @blumenthal.senate.gov has asked the Postmaster General for detailed info about the plan. He says the USPS rule puts all mail voters at risk and accuses the administration of being "hellbent on changing the framework of casting ballots in this country, clearly for political reasons."
132380
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
8/ The portal for state officials to upload voter lists was supposed to launch today, according to the whistleblower. It's unclear if that will still happen, given the plan to make it mandatory for states is currently blocked.
128666
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
7/ The disclosure calls one portion of the internal software being developed unusable "garbage." It adds that internal concerns were brushed off by leadership, who said in response: "We cannot fail."
231372
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
6/ The whistleblower outlines a few specific concerns: • ​​The rejections of entire batches — thousands of ballots — when a perceived problem with one mail voter is fo​​und • No acknowledgment or planning for errors that are sure to happen
3356104
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
5/ The Trump administration "has hidden the high likelihood that the new ballot mail verification processes will result in major disruptions in mail ballots ever getting delivered to voters," according to the disclosure.
Screenshot reads: "The Whistleblower also raises grave concerns that the administration has hidden the high likelihood that the new ballot mail verification processes will result in major disruptions in mail ballots ever getting delivered to voters. As presently designed, if even one bar code on one single ballot in a bulk-mailing of 10,000 ballots fails to properly scan during the verification process, the entire batch is rejected..."
2366122
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
4/ The whistleblower disclosure, filed with @blumenthal.senate.gov, says workers were forced to create the new system in weeks when it should have taken 9 months. The whistleblower alleges that work continued on implementing the plan, even after it was ordered to be stopped.
2356113
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
3/ USPS issued the new rule last week, and it is currently blocked by a federal court. But the merits of the rule are expected to come before the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of the election. USPS has been working on a portal that will allow it to move forward.
230169
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
2/ For background: Trump issued an executive order in March forcing USPS to create new rules for mail ballots. It required states to give USPS lists of eligible mail voters, which would then determine who gets sent a ballot.
231671
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
1/ Just in: An anonymous federal worker has filed a whistleblower disclosure warning that the U.S. Postal Service's attempt to create a system to regulate mail voting for the midterms has been "rushed, chaotic, and fundamentally flawed." @propublica.org has the details 👇
Screenshot of the top of a whistleblower disclosure titled "USPS Rushed Implementation of New and Untested IT Systems Threatens U.S. Ballot Mail Delivery." Addressed to Senator Blumenthal, the first point details how the whistleblower has "significant concerns about the USPS's secretive, rushed, chaotic, and fundamentally flawed process for the creation and implementation of an entirely new and untested set of IT systems" intended for the 2026 midterms.
15362442645
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Second injunction has just been vacated, and lawsuits have already been filed against the final USPS rule. The rule is technically in effect right now, but court challenges will attempt to block quickly.
423041
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
We are digging into the proposed USPS rule on mail voting and want to know more about Trump's executive order on the matter. Contact our tip line at 917-512-0201 or reach out to me on Signal at jenafifield.01.
312925
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Meanwhile, the pending rules and challenges have created uncertainty. Voters are emailing voting rights groups asking about their right to vote by mail, and Democratic officials are assuring their voters that the rules haven’t changed — so far.
111019
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
At least two states will begin sending ballots to military and overseas voters next week — all will within a month. Early voting begins in many states in six weeks.
211719
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Whether it's possible to implement the steps called for by the executive order is a big question. USPS would need a way to track voter lists and ballots. And, under a separate part of the order, election offices nationwide would need to add barcodes to ballot envelopes.
310313
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Democratic secretaries of states and voting rights groups have vowed to file new legal challenges to the final USPS rule and the executive order. Challenges have already begun, and may continue tomorrow. That will keep this in court.
113020
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Here's why things will move fast from here: The USPS has now issued a final rule, which has an effective date of tomorrow. AND the DOJ last night asked the court to lift the second injunction, which would allow USPS to move forward.
111520
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The court’s Republican majority found that the lower court erred in putting the injunction in place when they said the plaintiffs hadn't yet established harm, because USPS hadn't issued a final rule on the matter when the lawsuit was filed.
18511
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The Supreme Court’s ruling only lifted the injunction from one of those cases — the other so far remains, meaning the USPS still cannot implement the plan. The justices did not take up the merits of the executive order, just the timing of the injunction.
111022
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Many legal challenges followed. A district court judge heard two separate challenges to the USPS plan, and issued injunctions in both cases, saying it violated the constitution.
19013
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Background: The plan was outlined in an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in March. One of its most consequential directives requires states to give the U.S. Postal Service lists of eligible mail voters that would determine who gets sent a ballot.
29815
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Here's what to expect after the Supreme Court's ruling yesterday related to the Trump administration's plan to try to restrict mail voting in the midterms. Efforts to either block the plan or implement it before November will now progress rapidly, sources tell @propublica.org 🧵
15333138
Reposted by Jen Fifield
Peter Elkind @peterelkind.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
At @ProPublica, we're eager to learn more. If you have inside details you're willing to share, please contact me at 817-691-3110 or ProPublica's tip line at 917-512-0201 (both on Signal).
022
Reposted by Jen Fifield
ProPublica @propublica.org · 18/08/2026
On Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. ET, join ProPublica’s Mark Olalde and environment journalists @scribeguy.bsky.social, Tony Briscoe and @halleparker.bsky.social to discuss the unprecedented rollback of the Clean Air Act and what it means for public health in urban and rural communities nationwide.
events.propublica.org
Clean Air Act: Dismantling One of the Country’s Bedrock Environmental Laws
Join us for a discussion about the rollback of the Clean Air Act and what it means for public health in communities across America.
6301146
Reposted by Jen Fifield
Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
A highly unusual Census Bureau report that President Trump is using to reup dubious claims of widespread illegal voting by non-U.S. citizens has ties to a Trump-aligned think tank, NPR has learned.
npr.org
Experts raise alarms over Census Bureau report Trump is touting on noncitizen voting
A Trump-aligned think tank has ties to a highly unusual Census Bureau report that the president is using to renew false claims of widespread voting by non-U.S. citizens in 2020, NPR has learned.
33927
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
That’s so nice thank you
010
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
www.documentcloud.org/projects/225...
documentcloud.org
HSI
020
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
We are still learning about new states in which Homeland Security agents are pursuing noncitizen voter leads. In Arizona, @propublica.org obtained five subpoenas sent to the secretary of state's office requesting records about alleged noncitizen voters. Link to full docs in 🧵
32416
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
ICYMI: Our @propublica.org investigation found that the Trump administration used Homeland Security Investigations' resources/data to try to prove election fraud, ignoring internal concerns the effort would violate citizen privacy and deliver inflated results. www.propublica.org/article/nonc...
propublica.org
Inside Trump’s Failed Hunt for Noncitizen Voters
To prove the president’s claims of illegal voting, the government has harnessed the power of Homeland Security Investigations, a branch of DHS established to combat the worst cross-border crime. So fa...
27234
Reposted by Jen Fifield
Peter Elkind @peterelkind.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
"Dysfunctional": Trump tapped law-enforcement muscle and criminal data systems to generate dire warnings about hundreds of thousands of noncitizens on voter rolls. But after struggles to investigate, his mountain of claims has turned into a molehill. www.propublica.org/article/nonc...
propublica.org
Inside Trump’s Failed Hunt for Noncitizen Voters
To prove the president’s claims of illegal voting, the government has harnessed the power of Homeland Security Investigations, a branch of DHS established to combat the worst cross-border crime. So fa...
073
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Wow can you maybe get a picture of the yard signs?
000
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Thanks Charlie
011
Jen Fifield @jenafifield.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
New investigation is out, including an explanation of how Trump’s claim of more than 250K noncitizen voters in four Democratic states came about. And more exclusive reporting from our team @propublica.org …
32513