Politics
Federal judge blocks Trump administration's mail voting restrictions for two weeks
The temporary halt follows refiled lawsuits by Democrats and voting rights groups shortly before midterm election ballots are sent out.
The short version
- U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani issued a two-week block on an executive order that limits mail-in voting.
- The decision halts new U.S. Postal Service rules requiring voter lists and specific envelope formatting just as midterms approach.
- A hearing is scheduled for September 3, and the legal battle is expected to be quickly appealed back to the Supreme Court.
Key facts
- U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani blocked the Trump administration's executive order restricting mail voting for two weeks on Thursday.[PBS NewsHour]
- The ruling was prompted by refiled lawsuits from Democrats and voting rights groups after the U.S. Postal Service published its final rules implementing the order.[PBS NewsHour]
- The new Postal Service rule mandates that states supply voter lists and format ballot envelopes specifically before mail-in ballots are delivered.[PBS NewsHour]
- Plaintiffs and election officials argue that states do not have the time or funds to redesign ballots and update management systems in time for the upcoming midterms.[PBS NewsHour]
- President Trump originally issued the executive order targeting mail voting in March.[PBS NewsHour]
What remains uncertain
- It remains uncertain how the Supreme Court will rule on the substance of the executive order, as its previous procedural decision only addressed the timing of the lower court's injunction.[PBS NewsHour]