Postal Service Finalizes Mail-Ballot Rule Amid Legal Fight Over Trump Order
The USPS has issued new mail-ballot rules, but their implementation hinges on the Supreme Court's decision on a contested executive order.
The United States Postal Service has finalized new procedural requirements for mail-in ballots, a move that comes just weeks before the first ballots are scheduled to be dispatched for the upcoming midterm elections. However, the practical impact of these rules remains unclear, as they are tied to a presidential directive currently blocked by a federal court.
The regulation, issued late Friday, would only take effect if the Supreme Court permits President Donald Trump's executive order restricting mail voting to proceed. A federal judge in Boston has already issued an injunction freezing the order, and a second ruling from the same judge would prevent the Postal Service from implementing any procedural changes before the November elections.
The administration has petitioned the Supreme Court to lift the injunction, but time is running short. North Carolina is required to send the first mail ballots to military and overseas voters on September 4th. At this stage, it would be nearly impossible for states to redesign their ballots to comply with the directive. The new rule also mandates that states submit voter lists to the Postal Service to ensure ballot delivery.
The Postal Service declined to comment on the regulation due to ongoing litigation. Lawyers representing Democratic-led states and civil rights groups argue that the president lacks the constitutional authority to alter state election procedures, a power reserved for states or Congress. The administration appealed to the Supreme Court last month, but the high court has yet to act on the request.