US midterms begin with chaos over mail-voting crackdown

The U.S. midterm elections kicked off on Friday amid confusion over mail voting rules as President Donald Trump seeks to impose new restrictions through the Supreme Court. North Carolina became the first state to start sending out ballots, marking the beginning of an election cycle that will decide control of Congress for the remaining two years of Trump's term. However, voters and election officials remain uncertain about the regulations that may apply to millions of mail ballots.

The dispute has been fueled by allegations that the Postal Service rushed and inadequately tested a new verification system, which could potentially delay or disqualify entire batches of ballots due to a single barcode issue. A federal judge extended her temporary block on Trump's plan, warning that hurried changes could lead to widespread disruption.

Trump's administration plans to appeal the judge's order, while the March executive order requires states to provide the Postal Service with lists of eligible mail voters through a new federal portal. Ballot envelopes would need individual barcodes and other specific design features, with the Postal Service empowered to reject mailings that do not meet their standards.

Election officials face the challenge of having to adapt to potential federal requirements while voting has already begun. The states determine the time, place, and manner of elections, not the president, according to Marc Elias, founder of the voting rights platform Democracy Docket. The president has no authority over federal elections.

With 60 days remaining before Election Day and 18 states expected to start distributing ballots in the coming weeks, officials have little time to redesign envelopes, update computer systems, train workers, and upload voter data if the courts allow the restrictions to take effect. This fight, combined with disputes over partisan redistricting in around a dozen states, carries significant political stakes.