Judge Talwani Blocks USPS Mail-Ballot Rule for 14 Days Before 2026 Midterms
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 2
Judge Talwani Blocks USPS Mail-Ballot Rule for 14 Days Before 2026 Midterms
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 2
Summary
A 14-day temporary restraining order is keeping key USPS mail-ballot requirements off the books just as North Carolina counties prepare to send absentee ballots Friday.
Talwani said Democratic-led states lacked the time and money to redesign ballot envelopes, secure USPS approval, update election systems and train staff, making compliance "practically impossible" before the midterms.
The rule, issued after Trump’s March 31 executive order, would require election officials to submit ballot-envelope designs and upload voter data and unique tracking barcodes to a USPS portal.
The Supreme Court on Aug. 24 paused Talwani’s earlier June 25 injunction because USPS had not yet finalized the rule; after the agency did so, the states amended their lawsuit and won this new block.
Talwani will hear arguments Thursday on a longer preliminary injunction, while supporters of the rule say it may miss the 2026 election but could still be implemented for 2028.