Judge blocks Trump-backed USPS mail-voting rules ahead of November elections

A federal judge in Boston, Judge Indira Talwani, has temporarily blocked the US Postal Service (USPS) from implementing new mail-in voting rules ahead of the November congressional elections. This decision follows a US Supreme Court ruling that had previously lifted injunctions against these Trump-backed restrictions. The restraining order, issued at the request of Democratic-led states and voting rights groups, will remain in effect pending a September 3 hearing to consider a longer-term preliminary injunction.

Under the rule, states must supply the USPS with lists of mail ballot recipients, and all outbound and return ballot envelopes must bear unique barcodes.

The USPS could refuse to deliver non-compliant ballots or those from voters not on the lists. Plaintiffs argue the USPS lacks authority to issue such rules, which they contend usurp state and congressional power to regulate elections and could disenfranchise voters.