Judge Indira Talwani Temporarily Blocks Trump-Directed Postal Service Rule on Mail-in Ballots

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued a preliminary injunction to temporarily block a Trump-directed Postal Service rule regarding the management of mail-in ballots. The administration announced that the rule, which seeks to exert control over how ballots are sent, is likely unlawful and unconstitutional. This ruling comes as North Carolina begins distributing mail ballots for the midterm elections. While the administration continues to push for the rule, the judge found that the rushed timeframe for implementation could lead to voter disenfranchisement. The administration appealed another ruling to the nation's high court, while the administration also sought a procedural win in the Supreme Court last week. Election officials in North Carolina and other states have expressed concern over the potential for confusion among voters. Some officials warned that the Postal Service's current processing methods, such as postmarking at distant centers, have already caused a spike in rejected ballots. The administration remains committed to the rule, while the administration's legal team continues to seek a final determination from the Supreme Court.

Sources

• AP News
  Midterm mail ballots start to go to voters as litigation over Trump’s order creates uncertainty
• NBC News
  First mail-in ballots being sent amid challenge to Trump’s restrictions

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Paywall and unreadable sources

• The New York Times
  North Carolina Adds New Restrictions to Vote-by-Mail Program
• Financial Times
  ‘Sowing doubt’: Trump’s attempt to change voting causes chaos for state officials
• Politico
  ‘Not feasible’: With ballots already in the mail, election officials say it is too late for Trump’s USPS order