Trump Administration Urges Supreme Court To Block Postal Service Voting Rules

On Sunday, the Trump administration pushed a fresh appeal to the Supreme Court with one goal: force restrictions on mail-in voting into effect right as ballots start rolling out across the nation for the upcoming midterm elections. The filing targets a preliminary injunction handed down Friday by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani. That order stops the Postal Service from enforcing several new rules for ballot mail in November.

"Ballots have already begun to be mailed in North Carolina, and more States will begin the mailing process as the injunction remains in place, including Alabama on September 9 and at least five States the week of September 13," Solicitor General John Sauer wrote in his brief. He added a stark warning: "Once those ballot envelopes enter the mailstream, there is no retrieving them."

Sauer warned that letting the court order stand risks sowing confusion and chaos as more states launch their mailing campaigns while preparations to follow the Postal Service rule stay voluntary instead of mandatory. The administration insists the rule represents "a lawful and modest exercise of rulemaking authority delegated by Congress to the Postal Service" and claims it regulates U.S. Mail, not federal elections itself.

The new requirements demand that federal election ballots sent through the mail use envelopes featuring the official Election Mail logo, meet automation standards, and carry unique barcodes. State officials would also need to submit envelope designs for review and share data on who they plan to send ballots to. The administration says these steps will improve handling and delivery while protecting the system from fraud.

The rule does not hand the Postal Service power to decide who can vote by mail or whether a ballot gets counted; those duties remain with state and local election officials. Democratic-led states and voting rights groups fighting the restrictions argue the changes are unconstitutional, while election officials say there is simply not enough time to overhaul their systems before November arrives. The administration rejects both claims, pointing to broad congressional authority given to the Postal Service to regulate mail handling and delivery. They also note the rule does not dictate ballot content, set voter eligibility rules, establish deadlines, or govern how ballots are counted.

This filing marks the third time the administration has asked the Supreme Court to step into the dispute. The high court previously allowed the plan to move forward but has yet to rule on whether the restrictions themselves are legal. The fight could change everything in November when control of Congress hangs in the balance. Nearly one-third of all U.S. voters cast their ballots by mail this year.