The US Postal Service (USPS) announced on Thursday that new requirements for mail-in voting are now in effect, a move tied to an executive order from Donald Trump and expected to trigger further legal battles. The rules, which apply to ballots for November’s US midterm elections, require the post office to withhold delivery of ballots to registered voters deemed ineligible when cross-referenced with Department of Homeland Security and other federal records.
Executive Order and Implementation Timeline
The requirements stem from an executive order issued by Trump earlier this year, which directed USPS to refrain from delivering mail ballots to voters who appear on federal ineligibility lists. The USPS posted a final rule on ballot delivery on Friday, and on Thursday confirmed it would be implemented immediately, affecting the upcoming midterm elections.
The move is part of a broader Trump administration effort to increase federal oversight over voting, including new rules that would require state election leaders to submit their voter rolls for federal inspection. Critics argue this exceeds executive authority, as the US Constitution assigns control over elections to states and Congress, not the executive branch.
Court Rulings and Legal Challenges
The US Supreme Court on Monday lifted an injunction by a lower court that had blocked the rule, at least until the post office began implementation. The procedural ruling did not address the rule’s legality or constitutionality. Following that decision, US District Judge Indira Talwani on Wednesday lifted her nationwide block on the postal service change, citing the Supreme Court’s action.
In response, two dozen states and the District of Columbia filed a fresh lawsuit on Wednesday to block the executive order restricting mail voting in the midterms. The states argued that the USPS policy is part of “a broader effort” by the administration “to rewrite federal election law and usurp the authority of the states and Congress.”
Impact on Midterm Elections
With the new rules now in effect, election officials across the country face the immediate challenge of ensuring that legitimate mail ballots are not delayed or rejected due to mismatches with federal records. The legal challenges are expected to continue, with states seeking to overturn the rule before November’s elections. The outcome of these disputes could affect voter access in the midterms, as millions of Americans are expected to vote by mail.
