Twenty-four states sue to block USPS mail-in ballot rule ahead of November elections
A coalition of 24 Democrat-led states and the District of Columbia sued the U.S. Postal Service on Wednesday, seeking to block new mail-in ballot safeguards from taking effect before November’s midterm elections.
TL;DR
- 24 Democrat-led states and the District of Columbia are suing the U.S. Postal Service.
- The lawsuit seeks to block new mail-in ballot safeguards before the November midterm elections.
- States argue the rule exceeds executive authority, conflicts with federal law, and infringes on states' election administration powers.
- The rule requires trackable barcodes on ballot envelopes and submission of voter information via an online portal.
- The Postal Service states the system aims to improve election integrity and security by making ballots easier to track.
- States contend compliance would require redesigning envelopes, developing new systems, and incur significant costs.
- A recent Supreme Court decision on procedural grounds did not rule on the lawfulness of the rule's implementation.
- A federal judge lifted her previous injunction, allowing the legality of the now-final rule to be considered on its merits.