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Appeals court rejects Trump request to lift block on Postal Service rule for mail ballots
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- A federal appeals court denied the Trump administration's request to lift a lower court injunction blocking new U.S. Postal Service rules on mail ballots ahead of the midterm elections, citing risks of voter disenfranchisement and lack of evidence of voter fraud.
- The appellate panel, consisting of judges appointed by President Biden, agreed with the lower court that the Postal Service likely overstepped its authority by regulating election procedures without congressional authorization.
- The Postal Service's final rule mandates unique barcodes on mail ballots and requires states to submit voter information to an online portal, with non-compliant mailings to be rejected by postal workers.
- U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani ruled the new requirements likely unconstitutional due to the timing and potential to disrupt voting, prompting the administration to appeal to both the First Circuit and the Supreme Court.
- The Trump administration has repeatedly asked the Supreme Court to stay the injunction, arguing that the Postal Service is acting within its statutory authority to regulate mail delivery standards.
