A federal judge has extended a block on new U.S. Postal Service rules governing mail-in ballots, finding them likely unlawful and potentially disenfranchising voters. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued a preliminary injunction Friday, extending a temporary block put in place August 26, and applies to the upcoming November midterm elections. The rules, finalized late last month, would have required unique barcodes on ballot envelopes and states to upload lists of those requesting ballots.
Judge Talwani, in a 49-page decision, determined the Postal Service likely exceeded its authority, arguing that election regulation is constitutionally reserved to Congress and the states. She stated the USPS “impermissibly establishes a new category of nonmailable material” and that the rules clash with existing congressional statutes. The judge also expressed concern that implementing the regulations so close to the election would create significant difficulties for election officials already burdened with other tasks, potentially leading to widespread disenfranchisement.
Election officials raised concerns about their ability to comply with the new regulations, and Judge Talwani noted that imposing these mandates “at present poses greater difficulties” because officials are actively administering elections. She wrote that any malfunction could result in the rejection of mail ballots.
The Justice Department is expected to appeal the decision, and during a Thursday hearing, government lawyers indicated they would seek intervention from the Supreme Court if the block continued. The Trump administration had previously asked the Supreme Court to allow enforcement of the rules. At least two Wisconsin municipalities and North Carolina have already begun mailing ballots, with more states to follow around mid-September. Left-leaning outlets emphasize the potential for voter disenfranchisement, while right-leaning coverage focuses on the administration's attempt to standardize election mail. Not in dispute is the judge's extension of the block through the midterm elections.
Read the original coverage
💬 Comments
📜 Comment Policy