US judge repeats block on Trump’s bid to limit voting by mail
Order comes days before ballots go out for the midterms.
Source: Al Jazeera · August 28, 2026 at 11:31 AM · AI-assisted report
Single-sourceUNITED STATES, 28 AUGUST 2026 —
US judge blocks Trump administration’s mail-voting restrictions ahead of midterms
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A federal judge in the United States has issued a second temporary block on new postal service rules aimed at restricting mail-in voting, just days before ballots for the November midterm elections are set to be distributed.
District Judge Indira Talwani on Thursday halted the US Postal Service’s (USPS) updated ballot rules for 14 days, hours after the agency announced they had taken effect. The decision follows an ongoing legal dispute triggered by former President Donald Trump’s efforts to limit mail-in voting, which has intensified as the US approaches midterm elections that will determine control of Congress and the Senate.
Nearly one-third of American voters cast ballots by mail in recent elections, and the first midterm ballots are scheduled to be sent out within a week. The new USPS rules require states to submit approved voter lists and adhere to specific ballot formatting before the postal service will deliver voting slips. These restrictions were implemented on Thursday after the Supreme Court cleared the way for their enforcement.
In her ruling, Judge Talwani stated that states lack the time and financial resources to redesign ballots, update election systems, or train officials on the new USPS portal before the upcoming vote. The legal battle began in March when Trump directed the Postal Service to withhold ballots unless states complied with the new requirements.
Voting rights groups and Democratic officials filed lawsuits, arguing that only states and Congress—not the president—have the authority to set election rules. Talwani initially blocked the rules over the summer but was overruled by the Supreme Court on a technicality on Monday, prompting a swift refiling of the challenge.
Separately, attorneys general from 24 states filed a new lawsuit this week, reiterating the same core argument: that the president does not have constitutional authority to set election rules, which rests solely with Congress and state legislatures. A hearing on the refiled case is scheduled for September 3, coinciding with the start of ballot distribution. Any decision by Talwani or a higher court could take effect as voting begins or shortly thereafter.
The outcome of these legal challenges may influence mail-in voting access in the midterms, where control of Congress and the Senate hangs in the balance. The Trump administration’s push to restrict mail voting has drawn sharp criticism from voting rights advocates, who argue it disproportionately affects voters in states with expanded mail-in options.
The USPS has stated that the new rules are intended to streamline ballot delivery and reduce delays, but opponents contend they create unnecessary barriers to voting.
Details not yet available on how the ruling may impact specific states or voter turnout. The case is expected to proceed quickly, with potential appeals to higher courts before ballots are finalized.
Related: Donald Trump · United States