Federal Judge Blocks USPS Mail Voting Restrictions Ahead of Midterms

A federal judge in Massachusetts has barred the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from implementing new mail voting restrictions that could prevent many voters from casting ballots by mail in the upcoming midterm elections. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued her ruling on September 4, 2026, stating that the USPS's rule, which stems from an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump in March, is unconstitutional and not supported by federal law. Talwani's ruling follows a hearing in Boston and is seen as a significant victory for voting access, although the Department of Justice (DOJ) is expected to appeal the decision. In her 49-page ruling, Talwani noted that the plaintiffs, which include pro-voting groups and Democratic attorneys general from 24 states and the District of Columbia, provided substantial evidence that the USPS rule would disrupt the elections. The judge emphasized that the rule would likely disenfranchise millions of citizens seeking to vote by mail. The USPS's proposed restrictions would require states to provide a list of voters who requested mail ballots, which would then be used to determine ballot delivery. Talwani highlighted that there was no evidence of fraudulent mail voting to justify the implementation of the rule. The DOJ and USPS have argued that the rule aims to standardize election mail and prevent illegal voting, but critics assert it transforms the USPS into an elections administrator. The ruling prevents the enforcement of the new restrictions ahead of the November midterms, and Talwani mandated that government lawyers notify USPS officials of the order and the potential for contempt if violated. The DOJ's previous appeals to higher courts are now moot following this ruling.