Judge blocks mail-in ballot rules
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
A federal judge in Boston blocked the USPS mail-in ballot rule for the third time.
The ruling keeps mail voting unchanged for the midterms, but the administration is expected.
Background
The Trump administration, via an executive order signed in March, directed the U.S. Postal Service to impose new rules on mail-in ballots, including envelope design and voter data submission. Voting rights groups and Democratic-led states sued, arguing the rules usurp state election authority and could disenfranchise voters. Judge Indira Talwani has repeatedly blocked the rules, and the administration has sought Supreme Court intervention.
How it unfolded
- Mar 2026President Trump signs an executive order directing the Postal Service to regulate mail-in ballots.
- Aug 27, 2026Judge Talwani issues a temporary restraining order blocking the rule for 14 days, calling it likely unconstitutional.
- Sep 3, 2026The Trump administration asks the Supreme Court to pause the judge's order, arguing the rule is modest and prevents voter fraud.
- Sep 4, 2026Judge Talwani issues a preliminary injunction blocking the rule for the November midterms, finding disenfranchisement 'practically inevitable' if it stands.
Who’s saying what
- Judge
- The rule is likely unconstitutional and would make voter disenfranchisement practically inevitable.
- Administration
- The rule imposes only modest requirements and is needed to prevent voter fraud via mail.
- Voting Rights Groups
- The rule unlawfully usurps state election authority and threatens access to the ballot.
Still unverified
A whistleblower report warns the rule could lead to millions of mail ballots never being sent, but this has not been confirmed.