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Judge considers whether to extend ban on USPS mail voting changes
apnews.com • • nation
Key Points:
- A Justice Department lawyer was unable to confirm to a federal judge whether the U.S. Postal Service's new system to regulate mail ballots, mandated by President Trump, is operational just one day before midterm ballots begin mailing.
- The system includes an online portal requiring states to upload lists of mail voters, with ballots withheld if data mismatches occur, but the Postal Service has not provided detailed implementation plans.
- Judge Indira Talwani is considering extending a temporary order barring the Postal Service from enforcing the system, citing concerns over its readiness and potential to disenfranchise voters.
- The administration plans to appeal to the Supreme Court to allow the system's implementation despite ongoing lawsuits arguing the president lacks authority to set election rules.
- Election officials warn the new requirements are impractical and could disrupt mail voting, with a whistleblower report highlighting risks that millions of ballots might never be mailed due to strict postal processing rules.
