The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to allow the full implementation of an executive order that tightens rules for mail-in ballots. The Justice Department filing seeks to put on hold a Tuesday ruling by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, which blocked the U.S. Postal Service from nationwide enforcement of the administration's new voting directives.
The legal dispute centers on a March executive order signed by President Donald Trump following his past calls for mail-in voting restrictions. In June, Judge Talwani issued an initial injunction preventing the order's enforcement in Washington, D.C., and 23 states, most of which are led by Democrats. The Tuesday decision expanded that block to a nationwide scale.
The executive order directs the Department of Homeland Security to provide states with lists of eligible citizens and instructs the Justice Department to prioritize the prosecution of election officials who provide ballots to individuals deemed ineligible. Additionally, it requires the Postal Service to deliver ballots only to voters appearing on state-approved mail-in lists. The Postal Service recently began steps to implement these requirements.
The ruling by Judge Talwani affects the day-to-day operations of the U.S. Postal Service and state election offices. The judge stated that the federal executive branch lacks the authority to regulate elections, asserting that the U.S. Constitution leaves this responsibility to individual states. If the Supreme Court grants the administration's request, the federal government could proceed with directing the Postal Service to cross-reference voter lists, potentially altering how ballots are distributed in the upcoming November midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.
The outcome sets a significant precedent regarding the balance of power between the federal government and states in managing election logistics. A Supreme Court intervention would clarify whether the executive branch can use federal agencies like the Postal Service and Homeland Security to enforce specific eligibility standards. As of Wednesday, the Supreme Court is weighing the administration's request to lift the injunctions. The schedule for a final ruling has not been reported, but the administration is seeking immediate action ahead of the November elections.