Federal Judge Blocks USPS Mail-In Ballot Rule
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Federal Judge Blocks USPS Mail-In Ballot Rule
- A second federal judge has blocked the U.S. Postal Service's new mail-in ballot rule, which would have imposed new requirements on states for processing mail ballots and could impact millions of voters in the upcoming November 2026 midterm elections.
- U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols issued a preliminary injunction on September 13, 2026, arguing that the USPS likely exceeded its authority in issuing the rule, following a similar ruling by Judge Indira Talwani on September 4, 2026.
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A federal judge has once again blocked the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from implementing a new rule regarding mail-in ballots, further complicating the process for the upcoming November 2026 midterm elections. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols issued a preliminary injunction on September 13, 2026, preventing the USPS from enforcing its new requirements. This ruling marks the second time a federal judge has halted the rule, with Judge Indira Talwani previously issuing a similar block on September 4, 2026.
The contested rule, finalized in August 2026, stems from a March 2026 executive order. It mandates that states provide the USPS with lists of mail ballot recipients, and requires both outbound and return ballot envelopes to feature unique barcodes. The rule also stipulated that the Postal Service could refuse to deliver ballots that did not adhere to these new standards. Critics, including voting rights groups, argued that these new requirements constituted federal overreach into election administration, which is traditionally managed by individual states.
Judge Nichols’ decision on September 13, 2026, stated that the USPS likely overstepped the authority granted by Congress when issuing the rule. The ruling emphasized the short timeframe between the rule’s issuance and the midterm elections as a factor favoring the injunction. While the Postal Service asserted the rule was intended to ensure accountability and election security, opponents warned of potential administrative issues, delays, and voter disenfranchisement. The Supreme Court is expected to have the final say on whether the new mail-in ballot policy will take effect.