Key facts
- North Carolina began mailing mail-in ballots for the November elections.
- A federal judge extended a ban on new U.S. Postal Service rules tightening mail-in voting requirements.
- The administration sought to implement rules requiring states to share voter lists and unique barcodes on ballot envelopes.
- The USPS stated its online portal for states to upload voter lists was not yet active.
- Voting rights advocates argued the rule risked disenfranchising voters and violated states' authority over elections.
A federal judge in Boston has extended a ban on new U.S. Postal Service rules that would tighten mail-in voting requirements ahead of the November congressional elections. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued the injunction, which was sought by Democratic-led states and voting rights groups.
North Carolina became the first state to mail out ballots for the elections on Friday, 60 days before the general election. The Trump administration had asked the Supreme Court to intervene and lift a previous temporary restraining order that prevented the USPS from imposing such restrictions. The administration argued that the USPS had clear authority to implement "modest" envelope design requirements.
Voting rights advocates and states argued the rule risked disenfranchising voters and was adopted in violation of the U.S. Constitution, which grants states authority over elections. A USPS official stated in a court filing that an online portal for states to upload voter lists was not yet active and could be available during the week of September 7. A whistleblower alleged the USPS was rushing to implement a hastily created system that risked disrupting mail ballot delivery.