Midterm mail ballots start to go to voters as litigation creates uncertainty

Statewide mail voting for this year’s midterm elections begins on Friday, despite a contentious legal dispute over President Donald Trump’s executive order to restrict mail voting. The first state to distribute mail ballots is North Carolina, with ballots set to be mailed out as scheduled. State officials remain confident the election will proceed securely, even if the new limits are upheld.

The provision, signed by Trump in March, aimed to limit mail balloting by requiring states to submit lists of eligible voters to the Postal Service through an online portal. The portal, however, is currently inactive. Ballot envelopes would also need to comply with new Postal Service rules, including the addition of barcodes.

Trump’s executive order is currently under multiple lawsuits, but the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled in his favor without addressing the substance of the case. The administration has appealed another ruling to the Supreme Court.

Election officials in North Carolina are working to ensure a smooth process despite the confusion caused by the executive order and court battles. Michael Dickerson, director of the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections, reassured voters that mail voting remains a safe and secure method. Wake County has already processed about 5,000 absentee request forms and is preparing to send out ballots.