The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Trump administration, lifting a judicial decision that blocked an executive order to restrict mail-in voting ahead of the November midterm elections. In a 6-3 decision, with the three liberal justices dissenting, the court granted emergency relief, allowing parts of the president's March directive to proceed. This ruling lifts an injunction that had previously covered 23 states and Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump has frequently targeted mail-in ballots, which are favored by Democratic voters, and has vowed to end their use. The administration seeks to exert greater control over the distribution of mail ballots despite the primary role states play in overseeing elections. While the court described a lawsuit challenging the order as premature, it noted that further litigation is expected.
Concerns remain regarding how the administration can implement these measures before the fast-approaching midterms. While the U.S. Postal Service laid out an implementation plan last week, some reports indicate that USPS work on the order remains blocked nationwide. Election officials have warned of potential chaos if the sweeping order goes into effect, as some states will begin sending ballots to voters in just a few weeks.