A federal judge has temporarily blocked the U.S. Postal Service from enforcing new restrictions on mail-in ballots ahead of the November midterm elections. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston issued a 14-day temporary restraining order on Thursday, halting attempts to implement an executive order from President Donald Trump.
The judge found that the regulation is most likely unlawful because the president cannot insert the federal government into elections without the approval of Congress. The ruling also stated that it is practically impossible for states to comply with the measure so close to the midterms and noted that there is no evidence of widespread mail-ballot fraud.
The Trump administration is appealing the order to quickly reinstate the challenged rules. This high-stakes clash occurs as Republicans defend their slim majority in Congress, and the ruling is likely to trigger a legal scramble over regulations that some states argue will disrupt the elections. The legal fight over the controversial measure is expected to continue.