A federal judge in Massachusetts has issued a preliminary injunction preventing the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from enforcing part of an executive order by President Donald Trump that aimed to tighten mail-in voting rules ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani's ruling blocks the USPS from refusing to transmit mail-in or absentee ballots as outlined in Section 3 of Executive Order 14399. The injunction does not stop the federal government from providing nonbinding guidance on ballot-mail envelopes.
The ruling follows a hearing on a request for the injunction, and the Trump administration is expected to appeal the decision to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston. The executive order, signed by Trump in March, is part of his election integrity agenda and directs the Department of Homeland Security to compile lists of eligible voters and instructs the USPS to establish new standards for mail-in ballots.
Talwani had previously blocked several provisions of the executive order in June, stating they likely exceeded the president's authority. The appeals court upheld that injunction in July while the administration's appeal is ongoing. The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts has praised the ruling, stating it protects voting rights for those who rely on mail-in voting. The White House, DOJ, and USPS have not yet responded to requests for comment.