President Trump’s administration is pressing the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a district court order that halted a new Postal Service rule aimed at tightening the use of mail‑in ballots. The request comes as states scramble to meet deadlines for sending out ballots ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
What the rule requires
In March, President Trump signed an executive order directing states to provide the United States Postal Service with lists of eligible mail‑ballot recipients and to place unique barcodes on every outbound and return envelope. The rule would limit USPS delivery to voters appearing on each state’s approved list, a move the administration says safeguards election integrity.
Legal challenges and court actions
Democratic officials, several Democratic‑led states and voting‑rights groups sued, arguing that the Postal Service lacks authority to reject mail‑in ballots and that the order infringes on states’ constitutional power to run elections. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani first blocked the rule in June for the suing states and later extended the block nationwide.
The Supreme Court last month vacated Judge Talwani’s June order because the states had not yet received the finalized Postal Service rule. The high court, with a 6‑3 conservative majority, left the door open for further lawsuits. After the Postal Service released its detailed rule on August 22, the plaintiffs renewed their challenges, and Judge Talwani again halted implementation.
On Thursday, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to reverse Judge Talwani’s latest injunction, even though the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has not yet ruled on the Justice Department’s challenge.
State officials’ response
Many state election officials say they lack the time and resources to overhaul their systems before the midterms. An online portal for uploading voter lists is still under development, and many states have already printed envelopes and ballots.
Sam Hayes, executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, told reporters that counties will mail out ballots on Friday as scheduled and that the Postal Service has approved the state’s envelope design. “We’re watching to see what the courts do. If anything changes, we will be in compliance,” Hayes said.
Administration’s defense
The Justice Department argues that the Postal Service has the legal authority to enforce the rule and that decisions about voter eligibility remain with the states. It also dismisses concerns that the rule will cause confusion, noting that the Postal Service will assist states in complying.
A whistleblower complaint filed by Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, alleges design flaws in the Postal Service’s online portal that could lead to eligible voters being denied ballots. A Postal Service official responded that the portal is being refined and may be available voluntarily to states next week.
Implications for the midterms
The rule could affect voters who rely on mail‑in ballots, a group that leaned heavily Democratic in recent elections—37% of Democrats voted by mail in 2024 compared with 24% of Republicans, according to MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Democrats argue the restrictions risk disenfranchising eligible voters, while the administration maintains the changes are necessary to protect election security.
With the Supreme Court’s decision still pending, states must prepare for two possible outcomes: compliance with the new rule or continuation of existing mail‑in procedures. Voters and election officials alike are watching closely as the legal battle unfolds.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
