The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily allows the U.S. Postal Service to move forward with a Trump-backed mail-in voting rule.

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals granted the U.S. Postal Service a temporary victory on Friday by pausing a lower court ruling that had blocked a new mail-in voting regulation. The three-judge panel ruled that the administration is likely to succeed in its effort to increase federal oversight of elections, noting that the lawsuit is currently premature as the rule is not yet finalized. The proposed rule, stemming from an executive order by President Trump, would require states to submit lists of approved voters and serialized ballot barcodes to the U.S. Postal Service. Under this mandate, the agency would refuse to deliver mail-in ballots to states that fail to provide these lists. While a separate judge in Massachusetts maintains an injunction on the policy, the appeals court noted that the administration would be irreparably harmed if the rule is not implemented before the 2026 midterms. Supporters argue the move will strengthen election integrity, while critics in states like Colorado warn the rule could create administrative hurdles and potentially suppress voter turnout.

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