The Trump administration has suffered another legal setback in its effort to impose new restrictions on mail-in voting ahead of the November midterm elections.
On Thursday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit refused to lift a lower-court injunction blocking a new U.S. Postal Service rule tied to President Donald Trump’s March executive order on elections. The three-judge panel concluded that the rule is likely unconstitutional because authority over election procedures belongs primarily to the states and Congress, not the executive branch.
The disputed rule would require states to provide the Postal Service with lists of mail-ballot recipients and use unique barcodes on ballot envelopes. USPS would also be allowed to refuse delivery of ballots that do not comply with the new requirements.
Critics, including Democratic-led states and voting-rights organizations, argue that making such major changes so close to Election Day could lead to confusion and prevent eligible ballots from being counted. The administration says the measures are reasonable safeguards intended to strengthen election integrity and ensure consistent handling of mail ballots.
Another Court, Another Block
This is not the first time Trump’s effort has run into the courts.
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani previously blocked enforcement of the rules, finding that challengers were likely to succeed in arguing that the administration had exceeded its constitutional authority. The Trump administration then turned again to the Supreme Court, asking the justices to allow the restrictions to take effect before the midterms. It was the third time the administration had asked the high court to intervene in the dispute.
Now the appeals court has sided with Talwani and kept the restrictions on hold.
The timing is becoming increasingly important. States have already begun mailing ballots, and nearly one-third of U.S. voters use mail ballots. Election officials have warned that changing procedures at this stage could create logistical problems just weeks before voting.
The Supreme Court May Have the Final Word
The legal fight is not over.
The Trump administration has already asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene, meaning the country’s highest court could ultimately decide whether the new rules can be enforced before November.
For now, however, the administration’s mail-in voting restrictions remain blocked — once again — while ballots are already beginning to reach voters across the country.
Sources: Reuters; Associated Press; U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
By NJ RADAR Team