The US Supreme Court on Monday rejected President Donald Trump’s bid to impose new restrictions on mail ballots ahead of November’s midterm elections. The ruling leaves states free to continue using existing voting procedures after election officials warned that last-minute changes could disrupt ballot distribution and inject chaos into the contests.
The decision prevents the U.S. Postal Service from enforcing a rule targeting mail-in ballots stemming from an executive order signed by President Trump in March. A federal judge had previously ordered that the Postal Service not implement the limits, and a second federal judge ruled the plan was likely illegal. Justice Brett Kavanaugh stated that applying the U.S. Postal Service rule in the 2026 midterm elections would be arbitrary and capricious.
President Trump has repeatedly criticized mail-in voting and cast doubt on its security, arguing without providing evidence that the system is vulnerable to fraud, despite often voting by mail himself. Surveys show that restricting mail-in ballots would stand to benefit Republicans, as Democratic voters disproportionately use the system.
The court determined that election officials do not have sufficient time to implement the rule before the November midterms. This decision allows states to continue sending out mail ballots under the same processes they have used for years, which have accounted for nearly a third of votes cast.