Judge blocks rule implementing Trump plan to restrict mail-in voting

A federal judge in Boston has blocked the US Postal Service from enforcing new rules aimed at tightening mail-in voting requirements ahead of the November congressional elections, as requested by Democratic-led states and voting rights groups. The US district judge Indira Talwani issued a temporary restraining order, fearing the rule would prevent citizens from casting their ballots unless states comply with the Postal Service's stipulations on mail ballot envelopes and voter information.

The judge argued that the Postal Service had not provided evidence of widespread fraudulent mail-in voting, and the rule likely violated the US Constitution, which grants states the authority to administer elections. The restraining order will remain in place for 14 days while the judge decides on a longer-term preliminary injunction.

The new rule requires states to provide the USPS with lists of mail ballot recipients and mandates unique barcodes on all outbound and return ballot envelopes. If a ballot doesn't comply with the new standards or is associated with an ineligible voter, the USPS may refuse to deliver it. All 50 states permit some form of mail-in voting, with 29 allowing voters to request a mail ballot without a reason and eight conducting their elections entirely by mail.

The US Postal Service implemented the rule following a March executive order signed by President Donald Trump, who falsely claimed widespread voter fraud led to his defeat in the 2020 presidential election.