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Supreme Court Rejects Trump Mail Ballot Restrictions for Now Ahead of Midterms
The justices are considering a stay after lower courts said the Postal Service lacked authority to impose new ballot rules, with mail voting already underway in some states.
The Supreme Court is reviewing an appeal of a lower court injunction as it prepares to decide whether President Donald Trump can enforce new U.S. Postal Service mail-voting requirements before the midterms.
Following a March executive order, the USPS rule mandates preapproved ballot envelopes and voter lists, sparking lawsuits from states arguing the agency lacks authority to impose election procedures.
On September 4, District Court Judge Indira Talwani issued a preliminary injunction, and on Sunday, District Judge Carl J. Nichols issued another, writing that the rule "exceed any conception of the outer bounds" of authority under the Postal Reorganization Act.
Solicitor General D. John Sauer argues the measures prevent fraud, while critics warn of "chaos and widespread disenfranchisement," as the administration fights to implement changes less than 60 days before the election.
Legal experts suggest the USPS faces logistical hurdles making implementation unlikely before November, though the Supreme Court's 6-3 conservative majority holds the final say on the administration's appeal soon.
Just seven weeks after the November elections, the Supreme Court is weighing President Trump’s plan to limit universal mail voting. California authorities urge people to vote ahead.