A second federal judge has halted the Trump administration’s new mail-ballot requirements, adding another legal barrier as the dispute moves toward the Supreme Court ahead of the November midterms.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom.
A second federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from enforcing new restrictions on mail-in ballots, extending a legal fight over the U.S. Postal Service’s role in elections as the Supreme Court considers a separate challenge to the same policy.
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols in Washington issued a preliminary injunction Monday after concluding that the plaintiffs challenging the rule were likely to succeed on their claims. The ruling prevents implementation of requirements stemming from President Donald Trump’s executive order on mail voting.
Under the administration’s policy, states using the Postal Service for election mail would be required to submit eligible-voter information through a USPS system, with the agency using that information as part of new requirements governing the mailing of ballots. The rule also imposes requirements involving ballot-envelope design and Postal Service approval.
Nichols’ decision represents the second active federal court order preventing the changes from taking effect.
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Massachusetts previously issued a separate injunction against implementation of the mail-ballot rule. A three-judge federal appellate panel declined to lift that order, and the administration has asked the Supreme Court to intervene.
The litigation comes as election officials prepare for the Nov. 3 midterm elections and some jurisdictions begin the process of distributing mail ballots.
The administration has argued that the requirements would establish additional safeguards for election mail without overriding state election laws. Challengers contend that the Postal Service lacks authority to impose the new conditions and that implementing them shortly before the election could prevent eligible voters from receiving or returning ballots.
Nichols’ injunction leaves the rule blocked in a second federal court while the Supreme Court considers the administration’s request for relief from Talwani’s separate order.
Unless the lower-court injunctions are lifted, the Postal Service will remain unable to enforce the challenged mail-ballot requirements for the upcoming midterm election.
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