Ankara: The Trump administration has made a third appeal to the US Supreme Court seeking to reinstate new rules governing mail-in ballots for the November midterm elections. The application, filed on Sunday, challenges a preliminary injunction by US District Judge Indira Talwani in Massachusetts, which blocked the enforcement of a US Postal Service rule.
According to Anadolu Agency, Judge Talwani, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, halted the implementation of requirements that states use standardized envelope designs, unique barcodes, and an online database for verifying ballot mailings. The Justice Department argues that the rule represents a lawful regulation of the federal mail system rather than an overreach into state-run elections. The application asserts that while states have primary authority over election regulation, they cannot exempt election-related mail from the Postal Service's rulemaking authority if they choose to use the federal mail system.
The US Postal Service rule, issued on August 21, mandates ballot envelopes include official "Election Mail" logos, automation-compatible designs, and tracking barcodes. It also requires state election officials to upload voter information into a USPS online database. Mailings that do not comply would be returned to local election offices. However, the rule does not affect voter eligibility, ballot counting, or voting deadlines, which remain under state jurisdiction.
Judge Talwani ruled that the USPS exceeded its statutory authority by attempting to regulate the "time, place, and manner" of elections, powers reserved for states and Congress under the US Constitution. The judge cautioned that compelling states to adopt new envelope designs and use an unproven digital portal weeks before the election could lead to "inevitable" disenfranchisement. The court highlighted that many small rural jurisdictions lack the necessary technology, and the digital portal is not yet operational.
The government contends that the District Court's injunction obstructs a critical security measure as voting has commenced, with mail-in voting already underway in North Carolina and other states poised to follow. The administration claims it would suffer "irreparable harm" without a stay, as a reversal of the District Court's decision against implementing the final rule would be untimely for the 2026 midterms.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has directed the respondents to file their response by Wednesday at 4:00 pm in the ongoing appeal.