Judge blocks USPS mail-ballot rule ahead of 2026 midterms
Postal ballot rule blocked as judge halts USPS changes before 2026 elections See how the ruling could affect mail voting deadlines, costs, and election access
A federal judge has temporarily blocked parts of a new U.S. Postal Service rule that would change how outbound mail ballots are handled ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The policy was created after an executive order from President Donald Trump and would require election officials to submit ballotenvelope designs for approval and upload voter information and tracking barcodes to a USPS portal. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani said the states would face practical and financial difficulties trying to meet the requirements before ballots are sent.
The dispute has moved through multiple court rulings, including a Supreme Court stay of an earlier decision. The case now centers on whether USPS is simply regulating mail or overstepping into election administration. A hearing on a longer injunction is scheduled for Thursday while the temporary order remains in place.