US judge extends ban on Trump’s new USPS mail-in voting rules ahead of November midterm elections
Rule requires states to submit mail ballot recipient lists and use unique ballot barcodes. Administration swiftly appealed after Judge Talwani extended injunction against USPS election rule. Judge Talwani said 10,000 election jurisdictions would need redesigns for elections weeks away
On Friday, a federal judge extended a ban on President Donald Trump's administration's plan to implement stricter mail-in voting requirements for the upcoming November congressional elections. The injunction, issued by Boston-based US District Judge Indira Talwani, was requested by Democratic-led states and voting rights groups.
The judge stated that only laws passed by Congress can override states' authority over elections, emphasizing that the executive branch has no inherent authority over voting rules. The judge also noted that Congress has never delegated authority over voting to the Postal Service, making the administration's new rule unconstitutional.
The USPS declined to comment on the ruling, but its Postmaster General defended the agency's action, stating that it acted within its legal authority. The judge expressed concern that the rule would create chaos and disenfranchise voters due to the high risk of errors and a lack of time for states to comply. The administration has appealed the ruling, but the decision remains in place.
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