Judge extends block on Trump mail voting order
Apnews · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A federal judge on Friday extended a ban on the U.S. Postal Service implementing President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at limiting mail voting ahead of the midterm elections, replacing an earlier temporary order with a preliminary injunction. The ruling came as North Carolina began sending out mail ballots on Friday and other states were expected to follow quickly, tightening the timetable for any federal changes. The Trump administration told the court it would appeal to the U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, after already asking the Supreme Court to lift the earlier temporary order. The dispute has become a major election-law fight because nearly one-third of U.S. voters cast ballots by mail and state officials say they cannot rework systems in time.
Key Points
- U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani in Boston issued a preliminary injunction on Friday, extending her earlier temporary block on the Postal Service plan.
- Trump’s order sought to limit mail voting, and Sing Tao reported it required the Postal Service to deliver ballots only to voters on a federal eligibility list
- North Carolina began mailing ballots on Friday, becoming the first state to send out ballots for the November election, with more states expected soon.
- The administration said it had already asked the Supreme Court to lift Talwani’s temporary order and would now appeal to the 1st Circuit.
- The order still lets states adopt the new Postal Service system voluntarily, but AP reported that no state has said it will do so
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers following U.S. politics, the ruling shows how court battles and election administration can directly shape the midterms even before voting is fully underway. With control of Congress at stake and mail voting used by nearly one-third of voters, delays or rule changes could affect turnout, ballot access and confidence in the result.