The U.S. Supreme Court on September 14 blocked new restrictions on mail-in voting imposed by the U.S. Postal Service, thereby preserving current mail-in voting procedures for the upcoming midterm elections in November. This decision upheld a ruling from a federal district court that had halted changes derived from an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump in March.

The executive order directed the Postal Service to exert greater federal control over mail-in ballots, requiring states to share verified voter lists and implement a standardized ballot envelope featuring unique barcodes. Under the order, the Postal Service would have been authorized to reject ballots failing to meet these criteria. However, critics argued the new rules would complicate voting procedures and potentially disenfranchise voters during a critical election.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani had blocked the restrictions on August 27, citing logistical challenges and noting that the Postal Service could not reasonably implement the new rules in time for the midterm elections scheduled for November 3. In an unusual move, the Trump administration escalated the matter directly to the Supreme Court before an appeals court could weigh in.

In a brief, unsigned majority opinion, the Supreme Court indicated the administration’s challenge was unlikely to succeed and concluded that freezing the new rules was less harmful than allowing their immediate implementation. Justice Brett Kavanaugh concurred, emphasizing that local election officials lacked adequate time to enforce the changes effectively ahead of the midterms. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented from the ruling.

The decision effectively ensures that voters can continue to cast ballots by mail under existing guidelines, with some states, such as North Carolina, having already begun absentee voting for the midterms. States like Wisconsin, Idaho, and New York are starting mail-in voting this week. Because elections are administered at the state level, voters are advised to consult local election offices for specific mail-in ballot procedures and deadlines.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta underscored the importance of mail-in voting in his state, where it serves as the primary voting method. He condemned the executive order as an unsuccessful effort to influence election outcomes favoring one party.

The Supreme Court’s ruling arrives in the closing weeks before ballots are mailed out in several states, reaffirming the continuity of mail-in voting procedures and avoiding potential disruptions during a pivotal election cycle.