A federal judge has temporarily blocked new Postal Service rules that would tighten requirements for voting by mail ahead of November’s midterms.
In the latest development in President Donald Trump’s push to tighten rules around mail voting, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani halted key parts of the new rule for at least 14 days.
Download the Straight Arrow app today to get the stories that matter free from manipulation, bias or agenda.™
Point phone camera here
The fight thus far
In March, Trump signed an executive order directing changes to USPS requirements for mail ballots. This month, the agency adopted the changes, sparking a lawsuit from 24 states and Washington, D.C.
On Thursday, Talwani sided with the states for now, temporarily blocking key parts of the rule.
The new ruling comes just days after the U.S. Supreme Court halted a separate decision blocking the Trump administration from implementing provisions restricting mail voting.
Reasoning behind the ruling
Talwani said most of the states have already ordered their ballots, and some are required by law to start sending them as early as next week.
She said forcing states to comply now would cause “irreparable harm” because they don’t have enough time or money to redesign ballots, update election systems and train workers before the midterms.
The judge also said Congress has not given the Postal Service the authority to regulate election mail.
The Justice Department is expected to appeal, meaning the fight could once again end up before the Supreme Court.
Round out your reading
- Former Fetterman staffers create social media account to expose former boss.
- Why Gen Z finally wants Boomer hand-me-downs.
- Want a copy of Pete Hegseth’s driver’s license? It’s for sale on the dark web.
- Smart glasses helped a man see the world. The privacy panic took it away.
- Americans are keeping cars longer, so the auto industry is making it easier to pay for repairs.
