Legal Challenges Surround Trump’s Mail-In Voting Plan

The Trump administration has approached the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn a block on a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) plan connected to mail-in voting restrictions for the upcoming midterm elections. Currently, a federal judge in Boston has placed a temporary restraining order on crucial aspects of this plan.

Current Status of Mail-In Voting

For the time being, the USPS plan has not directly altered mail-in voting for the midterms. The plan’s key components, which include specific state requirements, are blocked. Mail-in voting remains an option for all eligible voters in their respective states. The USPS is still expected to handle and deliver mail-in ballots as usual for these elections.

Potential Changes from the USPS Plan

The USPS plan, if implemented, would compel state election officials to provide the USPS with lists containing the names and addresses of mail-in voters. Additionally, special barcodes would be required on mail ballot envelopes as part of a revised rule concerning federal ballot mail. The USPS has indicated it wouldn’t deliver ballots if these requirements are unmet by election officials.

Commencement of Mail-In Voting

The mail-in voting period officially begins as North Carolina is set to send out absentee ballots on Friday. Numerous other states are also scheduled to distribute their mail-in ballots within the month.

Feasibility of Implementing the USPS Plan

Specialists in the election process suggest the USPS plan may not be feasible to implement without significant disruption. A whistleblower report has pointed out inadequacies in testing an online portal system intended for collecting mail-in voter information. The report claims this system and new policies concerning ballot envelope verification could prevent timely delivery or receipt of ballots for the midterm election.

Arguments For and Against the USPS Plan

Responding to a March executive order by President Trump aimed at curbing illegal voting by non-U.S. citizens, the USPS devised this plan. Although challenges to the plan argue that the USPS lacks authority over mail voting, the USPS asserts that the revised rule serves merely to regulate mail. Studies indicate the issue of illegal voting is extraordinarily rare.

Supreme Court’s Involvement

The Supreme Court addressed a procedural aspect of a lawsuit regarding the mail-in voting order back in August. However, the legality of the order and the USPS plan remains undecided by the justices.

Editor’s note: USPS is a financial supporter of NPR.

Edited by Megan Pratz