Federal Judge Issues Temporary Block on USPS Mail-in Voting Rule

A federal judge temporarily blocked the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from enforcing key parts of its new rule restricting mail-in voting on Thursday night. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani found that voting rights groups and Democratic-led states are likely to succeed in demonstrating that USPS lacked authority to impose new federal requirements on mail voting before the 2026 midterms. Talwani issued a 14-day temporary restraining order preventing USPS from enforcing significant portions of its final "Ballot Mail for Federal Elections" rule for elections on or before November 3. The blocked provisions include mandatory ballot-envelope standards, return-envelope standards, USPS portal registration, voter-enrollment requirements, and ballot-mail rejection rules. This ruling is part of an ongoing legal battle regarding President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at restricting mail voting, which directed USPS to propose new limitations on mail ballots. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court lifted a separate injunction that had blocked parts of the order, stating that courts generally review final rules rather than proposed rules or internal executive directives. Talwani emphasized that with the USPS having published the Final Rule, the challenges from the plaintiffs are now appropriate for consideration. The judge determined that the states and voting rights groups are likely to succeed in their claims that USPS lacked the authority to issue the rule, that it unconstitutionally imposes new requirements on states, and that it unlawfully prevents noncompliant state and local officials from using USPS to mail ballots. Talwani also noted the potential for irreparable harm to states and voters, highlighting that many states have already ordered mail ballots, with some needing to send ballots to eligible voters as early as next week. She pointed out that election officials do not have sufficient time or resources to redesign envelopes, obtain USPS approval, update systems, train officials, and upload voter data before the midterms. Talwani remarked, "The record continues to lack any evidence regarding fraudulent absentee or mail-in voting," stating that USPS’ interest in addressing an "unsubstantiated problem" is outweighed by the risk of widespread disenfranchisement.