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Supreme Court allows mail-in voting restrictions
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Supreme Court cleared the way for Trump's mail-in voting order, 6-3. The ruling is interim; lower court still blocks Postal Service changes.
Background
President Trump signed an executive order on March 31 directing the U.S. Postal Service to restrict mail-in ballots, requiring states to provide voter data. Democratic-led states sued, arguing it infringes on their authority. A lower court blocked key parts, but the Supreme Court on Monday granted an emergency stay, allowing the administration to proceed for now.
How it unfolded
- Mar 31, 2026Trump signed executive order directing Postal Service to restrict mail-in ballots and create voter eligibility lists.
- Aug 11, 2026U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued injunction barring Postal Service from implementing procedural changes for Nov. 3 elections.
- Aug 24, 2026Supreme Court, in a 6-3 vote, granted emergency stay, allowing Trump to enforce the order, but separate injunction remains.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The Supreme Court's unsigned order said states had not yet suffered concrete harm, so a lower court lacked jurisdiction.
- Support
- Trump administration and supporters see the ruling as a major win, allowing the order to proceed.
- Caution
- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker called the ruling 'deeply troubling,' and Sen. Dick Durbin said it chips away at the fundamental right to vote.
Still unverified
The full impact of the order before midterms remains unclear; the Supreme Court did not rule on the order's legality.