A federal judge blocked the U.S. Postal Service from implementing proposed restrictions on mail-in voting, ruling they violated a settlement with the NAACP. The decision also halts a part of an executive order aimed at compiling a list of U.S. citizens.
The ruling prevents the U.S. Postal Service from enacting stricter rules for mail-in voting, which could impact the accessibility of ballots for millions of Americans in the upcoming midterm elections.
A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the U.S. Postal Service from implementing proposed restrictions on mail-in voting, ruling that they violated a settlement with the NAACP that required expedited mail-in ballot handling. The decision by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston expanded on an earlier order that had prevented the Trump administration from implementing the rule in 23 mostly Democratic-led states.
The plaintiffs, including several voting rights groups, had urged Talwani to prevent USPS from implementing the proposed rule nationwide. This rule would have required states to provide lists of voters and adopt new balloting procedures before the mail agency would make deliveries, threatening to refuse delivery if states did not comply. The plaintiffs contended USPS lacked a legal basis for such a refusal.
This ruling represents a setback for President Donald Trump's efforts to tighten rules for mail-in voting ahead of the November midterm elections. Trump has previously attempted to overhaul election administration through executive orders, with some portions previously blocked by federal judges. The decision also halts another component of the executive order that aimed to compile a list of American citizens residing in states.
Postmaster General David Steiner had previously expressed support for the president's order, characterizing it as a means to ensure correct ballot delivery. The Trump administration is expected to challenge the decision.