Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Judge Extends Block on Trump Mail Voting Restrictions
A judge stopped a new set of rules for sending mail-in ballots.
The rules were created by the Postal Service to carry out an order from President Donald Trump.
They would require states to share lists of mail voters and put special barcodes on ballots.
The Postal Service could refuse ballots that did not follow the new rules.
Judge Indira Talwani said the federal government may not have the power to impose these requirements without Congress.
She also said there was too little time for election offices to make the changes safely.
A rushed change could cause some people’s ballots not to arrive or be accepted.
The Trump administration disagreed and appealed the decision.
North Carolina was the first state to begin mailing ballots for the November elections.
District Judge Indira Talwani barred the United States Postal Service from enforcing new mail-ballot rules before November’s congressional elections.
The rules would require states to provide voter lists and use unique barcodes on outbound and return ballot envelopes.
Talwani said the executive branch lacked inherent authority and Congress had not delegated such authority to the Postal Service.
She warned that rushed implementation could create chaos and make disenfranchisement of mail voters practically inevitable.
The Trump administration appealed, while North Carolina became the first state to send ballots for the November elections.
- Who
- District Judge Indira Talwani, the Trump administration, the United States Postal Service, Democratic-led states, and voting rights groups.
- What
- A federal judge extended an injunction blocking new Postal Service rules governing the delivery and processing of mail-in ballots.
- When
- Friday, ahead of November’s congressional elections; Trump signed the executive order behind the rules in March.
- Where
- A Boston-based federal court issued the ruling, affecting mail voting across the United States; North Carolina began mailing ballots Friday.
- Why
- The states and voting rights groups argued that states control election administration, while the judge found the rushed requirements could cause chaos and disenfranchise voters.
States and Voting Rights Groups
Trump Administration and Postal Service
Authority over elections
States and Voting Rights Groups
The states and voting rights groups argue that states retain broad authority over election administration and that the executive branch cannot impose the requirements without congressional authorization.
Trump Administration and Postal Service
The Trump administration is defending the executive order and Postal Service rule, while Postmaster General David Steiner said the agency acted within its legal authority.
Effect on voters
States and Voting Rights Groups
Talwani and the rule’s critics say the rushed requirements could create chaos, prevent eligible voters from receiving ballots, and disenfranchise millions of people.
Trump Administration and Postal Service
The administration appealed the injunction to allow the rule to take effect. Trump has argued, without evidence, that mail-in voting is vulnerable to fraud.
Readiness and timing
States and Voting Rights Groups
The judge said it was implausible for about 10,000 election jurisdictions to redesign ballots, print them, and submit voter information before the elections.
Trump Administration and Postal Service
The Postal Service issued the rule to implement Trump’s March executive order and maintained that it had acted within its legal authority; the administration sought court intervention after the earlier block.
- Judge
- U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued the preliminary injunction.
- Blocked agency
- The United States Postal Service is barred from enforcing the new mail-voting requirements.
- Voter lists
- States would have to provide the Postal Service with lists of mail-ballot recipients.
- Ballot standards
- Outbound and return ballot envelopes would need unique barcodes.
- Enforcement power
- The rule would allow the Postal Service to refuse noncompliant ballots or ballots linked to voters absent from the lists.
- Election timing
- North Carolina became the first state to mail ballots for the November elections.
- Appeal
- The Trump administration filed a notice of appeal and had also sought Supreme Court intervention.
- Implementation concern
- Talwani said roughly 10,000 election jurisdictions would face major changes with only weeks remaining before the elections.
