Federal Judge Indira Talwani has extended a block on an executive order from President Donald Trump that sought to impose sweeping restrictions on mail-in voting for the November 3 midterm elections. The ruling, which provides a stronger preliminary injunction, prevents the U.S. Postal Service from enforcing these new limits.
This legal setback occurs as the first states have begun shipping ballots to voters, with North Carolina starting the process on Friday. The ruling comes amid concerns from election officials that thousands of eligible voters could be wrongly disenfranchised under the proposed rules.
The judge determined that compliance with the order was practically impossible. Additionally, a whistleblower warned that the new restrictions could result in millions of ballots going undelivered. During proceedings, the administration was unable to confirm whether the computer system required to govern the project was operational.
In response, the Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to intervene and reject the judge's order. The appeal was filed just before North Carolina began mailing ballots, contributing to a state of legal disarray leading up to the pivotal midterm vote.