Trump’s new US mail voting rules take effect as states warn of midterm disruption

New restrictions on how the US Postal Service handles mail-in ballots are now in effect, following a US Supreme Court ruling that sided with the Trump administration. These new procedures, announced by the Postal Service, require the agency to compile lists of eligible voters using state input and only deliver ballots to individuals on those lists. This comes as states prepare for upcoming midterm elections. Despite the Supreme Court's decision, other court challenges to the rules are ongoing, with 24 states filing a new case arguing the measures are unconstitutional and would cause significant harm by imposing burdensome requirements shortly before the elections. President Trump has advocated for these restrictions, claiming mail-in voting breeds fraud.

California is preparing for scrutiny of its election processes, particularly its widespread mail-in voting system, following accusations of "cheating" from Donald Trump. Despite Trump's skepticism, over 80% of California voters used mail-in ballots in 2024, a system officials believe voters trust for its accessibility and security. The state is combating misinformation through outreach. However, a recent Supreme Court ruling allows new federal restrictions on mail-in voting, prompting California to co-lead a lawsuit with 23 other states to block the executive order. State officials question the feasibility of implementing changes before upcoming elections and Governor Gavin Newsom stated California will defend democracy against these attacks.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has implemented new requirements for mail-in voting, stemming from an executive order by President Trump. These rules, now in effect for the November midterm elections, require states to submit voter rolls for inspection and prohibit the delivery of ballots to registered voters deemed ineligible based on federal records. This move is expected to lead to further legal challenges, with two dozen states and the District of Columbia filing a new lawsuit. The states argue the policy represents an attempt by the administration to increase federal oversight and usurp state and congressional authority over elections. A federal judge lifted a previous block on the rule, citing a Supreme Court decision.

New U.S. Postal Service rules for mailed ballots took effect on Thursday, requiring election authorities to assign unique bar codes to ballot envelopes and submit voter information through a new federal portal. These rules also mandate a review of envelope designs. State and local election officials are now working to comply with these requirements ahead of the November midterm elections, as millions of ballots are set to be sent to voters. The Postal Service has the authority to reject outgoing federal election ballots if these new rules are not met, raising concerns that administrative or technical issues could prevent eligible voters from receiving their ballots. Election officials are reportedly seeking to comply or are attempting to persuade a federal judge to intervene.

The US Supreme Court has ruled 6-3, along ideological lines, to allow the Trump administration to proceed with its crackdown on mail-in voting. This decision lifts a lower court injunction that had blocked an executive order issued in March. The order aimed to create a "state citizenship list" for mail-in ballot delivery and directed the Justice Department to prioritize investigations into officials issuing ballots to ineligible voters. Democratic officials in 23 states and the District of Columbia had sued, arguing the president lacked the authority to dictate state election rules. While the Supreme Court's ruling permits the administration to move forward, it does not resolve the underlying legal questions, leaving room for further challenges before the November midterm elections.

The Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to proceed with an executive order restricting mail-in voting, though its implementation before the upcoming midterm elections remains uncertain. The court ruled that states lacked the legal standing to challenge the order, but did not rule on its legality, leaving room for further legal challenges. President Trump's order, signed in March, directs the administration to create eligible voter lists and instructs the U.S. Postal Service to deliver mail ballots only to those on the lists. This decision comes as some states are preparing to send out mail ballots soon, and despite Trump's claims of fraud, he has himself used mail voting. The Justice Department had filed an emergency appeal to allow implementation before the midterms.

The U.S. Postal Service has issued new requirements for mail ballots, but their implementation hinges on a Supreme Court decision regarding President Trump's order restricting mail-in voting. A federal judge has currently frozen Trump's order and could also prevent the Postal Service from enacting procedural changes before the upcoming midterms. These new rules, which include requiring states to submit voter lists for ballot delivery, were released shortly before some states begin sending out mail ballots. Legal challenges argue that President Trump lacks the constitutional authority to alter state election regulations. The Trump administration is appealing to the Supreme Court to allow its executive order, which mandates federal compilation of eligible voter lists for mail ballots, to proceed.

The Supreme Court has allowed President Donald Trump's executive order restricting mail-in voting to proceed. This decision, made on Monday, permits the administration to move forward with the order, although the extent of its implementation before the upcoming midterm elections remains uncertain. The US Postal Service had previously outlined its plan to enact the order. However, the article notes that time is limited for significant changes, as some states are scheduled to begin mailing ballots to voters within weeks. The ruling also suggests that further legal challenges could potentially delay the order's implementation.