Updated September 15, 2026 at 4:40 PM EDT
Supreme Court Blocks Trump’s Mail-In Voting Restrictions
The U.S. Supreme Court has delivered a significant ruling by preventing President Trump’s proposed restrictions on mail-in voting from taking effect for the upcoming midterm elections. This decision ensures that mail ballots will continue to be delivered as usual by the U.S. Postal Service.
In a ruling released Monday, the court determined that the Postal Service’s proposed plan, which was initiated through an executive order by Trump, will not be implemented. The plan would have required states to provide voter information and use specific barcodes on ballot envelopes to facilitate mail delivery.
Voting by mail is already underway in several states like Alabama, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, with others soon to follow, including Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington, where elections predominantly use mail ballots.
Previously, a federal judge in Boston had issued a preliminary injunction against the USPS plan, stating that the Postal Service lacked the authority to impose such voting changes. A second federal judge also supported this with another injunction.
The Supreme Court’s majority opinion supported maintaining the Boston judge’s injunction, with the court expressing doubts about the success of the Trump administration’s legal arguments. However, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in a concurring opinion, noted, “there is at least a fair prospect that the final rule falls within the Postal Service’s statutory authority,” but acknowledged the timing of implementation was problematic.
Numerous Republican state election officials, including some from Utah, a state that primarily votes by mail, expressed concerns about the potential confusion and errors that could arise from the USPS plan. They submitted a brief to the Supreme Court highlighting these issues.
Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented, favoring the administration’s request to pause the ruling. Despite the pause for the midterms, the legal battle over future elections and the Postal Service’s role is expected to continue.
Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters, celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision, stating, “The Postal Service exists to deliver Americans’ mail — not to rewrite election rules, demand voters’ personal information, or decide which ballots make it through the system.”
New York State Attorney General Letitia James also voiced relief, emphasizing the importance of reliable ballot counting and encouraging early voting.
President Trump criticized the ruling on social media, labeling it “a big loss for Republicans” and disparaged the justices he appointed, while praising Justices Alito and Thomas. Additionally, he reiterated his unsubstantiated claims about mail-in voting fraud.
Despite Trump’s assertions, studies have shown that illegal voting by non-citizens is rare. The administration’s legal team has not presented evidence of mail-voting fraud in court.
In recent elections, a significant portion of voters, particularly Democrats, have utilized mail-in voting. Ironically, Trump himself participated in mail voting in Florida this year.
Editor’s note: USPS is a financial supporter of NPR.
Edited by Benjamin Swasey
Copyright 2026 NPR
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