A federal judge on Thursday issued a 14-day temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting mail-in voting. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani’s ruling comes just days before the first mail ballots are set to be sent out for the upcoming midterm elections, according to court documents.
The ruling halts a new U.S. Postal Service rule designed to implement the order. The administration is expected to appeal the decision, and the case could return to the Supreme Court, which recently allowed the administration to proceed with certain election-related actions. The high court did not address the legality of Trump’s order but found that Talwani acted prematurely, according to legal analysts.
Democrats and voting rights groups refiled their lawsuits following the Supreme Court decision, seeking to block the Postal Service rule. The Postal Service said it will not accept outbound ballots unless states submit required voter information through its portal and meet specific envelope and barcode requirements. Talwani’s ruling cited concerns about the short timeline for states to modify their systems before the midterms.
Attorney General Letitia James of New York, one of the lead plaintiffs, described the Postal Service rule and Trump’s order as unconstitutional, asserting that election rules fall under state or congressional authority, not the president or Postal Service. USPS maintains the rule does not impact voter eligibility or state voting processes.
The legal challenges highlight ongoing disputes over mail-in voting procedures. Nearly one-third of Americans plan to vote by mail in November, and election officials have expressed concern about the feasibility of complying with new federal rules on such short notice.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
