Trump's mail-ballot rule hits Supreme Court wall

The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked the U.S. Postal Service from enforcing a rule aimed at restricting mail-in ballots, a move that could impact the upcoming midterm elections. The court denied the Justice Department's request to lift a ruling by a federal judge that blocked the Postal Service from implementing the measure. The agency had adopted the rule following President Donald Trump's March executive order, which sought to tighten rules governing mail voting.

The court, with a conservative majority, dismissed the challenge, with Justice Samuel Alito comparing the challengers' claims to an unsuccessful Hail Mary pass. The Postal Service has broad authority to regulate the mail, Alito added. Restricting mail-in ballots is seen as beneficial to Republicans, as they disproportionately use this method of voting.

The administration claims the rule would prevent voter fraud, though such fraud is rare. The court's decision comes amid a series of efforts by the administration to increase federal involvement in voting ahead of the midterms.