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Judge Indira Talwani hears arguments on whether the U.S. Postal Service can implement new mail ballot regulations before the midterm elections.

A federal judge is currently weighing whether the U.S. Postal Service can implement a new system to regulate mail ballots before the November midterm elections. The administration announced that the new rules, directed by an executive order from President Trump, require states to submit a list of eligible mail voters to an online portal and use unique barcodes on ballot envelopes. During a hearing in Boston, Judge Indira Talwani questioned the Department of Justice on the readiness of the system. While the administration argued the changes are minor and legal, many election officials warned that the requirements are difficult to implement so close to the election. Some states reported that they would have to scrap already-printed envelopes, while others noted that the process of adding every voter to a portal could take years of work. A whistleblower report also warned that the new system could lead to millions of ballots being rejected if a single barcode is incorrect. The administration has appealed a previous order blocking the rule, and the Supreme Court recently allowed the Postal Service to proceed with the reforms.

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