Judge extends block on Postal Service's new Trump-backed mail-in ballot requirements

A federal judge on Friday extended her block on the U.S. Postal Service's new mail-in ballot requirements, as states prepare to begin sending out mail ballots for the November midterm elections. The judge, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, cited concerns about the constitutionality of the regulations and the challenges they would pose to election officials in time for the election.

The Postal Service had finalized the rules late last month, but Judge Talwani had previously temporarily blocked them on August 26. In her 49-page decision, Talwani ruled that the Postal Service's new regulations likely violated the Constitution and would likely disenfranchise eligible voters. The judge also stated that the Postal Service exceeded its authority by moving ahead with the new requirements without Congress's authorization.

The regulations would require states and localities to meet specific design requirements for mail ballots, submit voter information to an online portal, and have postal workers verify the mail. State and local election officials expressed concerns about their ability to comply with the rules in the weeks leading up to the election, as they were already occupied with other election-related tasks. The Postal Service is expected to appeal the judge's decision.