Politics
Federal judge temporarily blocks new USPS mail-in ballot regulations ahead of midterms
A district court issued a restraining order halting rules requiring envelope approval and portal tracking as legal battles continue.
The short version
- U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued a 14-day temporary restraining order halting new USPS requirements for mail-in ballot designs and tracking portals.
- The policy, created under an executive order from Donald Trump, affects state election administrators preparing for the 2026 midterm elections.
- Talwani cited tight deadlines and potential voter disenfranchisement, while critics argue the delays improperly stall straightforward postal rules.
- A hearing on a longer-term preliminary injunction is scheduled as federal appeals proceed.
Key facts
- U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani granted a 14-day temporary restraining order halting key elements of a new U.S. Postal Service policy on mail-in ballots.[Fox News]
- The USPS rule, developed pursuant to an executive order from Donald Trump, requires election officials to submit ballot envelope designs for approval and upload voter data and tracking barcodes to a portal.[Fox News]
- Judge Talwani found that complying before the 2026 midterms was practically impossible and posed a risk of disenfranchising eligible voters due to costs and logistics.[Fox News]
- The Supreme Court had previously stayed an earlier ruling by Talwani, finding the Trump administration was likely to succeed on claims that the initial challenge came before a final rule was issued.[Fox News]
- Democratic-led states amended their lawsuit after USPS finalized the policy, prompting the latest restraining order and an upcoming hearing on a preliminary injunction.[Fox News]