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 judge, Indira Talwani, issued a temporary restraining order based on concerns that the rule would prevent citizens from casting mail-in ballots unless states obtain the Postal Service's approval for mail envelopes and input voter information into an electronic portal run by the agency.

The judge argued that the USPS had not provided evidence of widespread mail-in voting fraud and that the rule was likely unconstitutional, as it usurped states' authority to administer elections. The restraining order will remain in place for 14 days while the judge considers issuing 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.

All 50 states permit some form of mail-in voting, with 29 states allowing voters to request mail ballots without specifying a reason, and eight states conducting their elections entirely by mail.