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Republican Election Officials Urge Supreme Court to Reject Trump's Mail-Ballot Rule Ahead of Midterms

Republican Election Officials Urge Supreme Court to Reject Trump's Mail-Ballot Rule Ahead of Midterms

A bipartisan group of 38 current and former election officials from 10 states, including several Republican Secretaries of State, has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reject President Trump's plan to implement a national database of registered voters and instruct the U.S. Postal Service to deliver absentee ballots only to those on the list. While the officials did not take a stance on the legality of the plan itself, they argued that there is insufficient time to implement such significant changes before the upcoming November midterm elections. One state has already begun issuing ballots, with others soon to follow. The officials emphasized that election offices are currently preparing for November and lack the necessary time to test and implement these new procedures. This appeal follows a U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruling that refused to pause a lower-court injunction blocking the rule, citing concerns about states' ability to comply and the lack of evidence for widespread voter fraud tha...
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USPS Initially Rejects Florida County's Mail Ballot Envelope Over Minor Spacing Issue Amidst Mail Voting Restrictions

USPS Initially Rejects Florida County's Mail Ballot Envelope Over Minor Spacing Issue Amidst Mail Voting Restrictions

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) initially rejected Leon County, Florida's mail ballot envelope design due to a minor spacing discrepancy. The words 'return service requested' and the election office's return address were 0.236 inches apart, falling short of the required quarter-inch separation by 0.014 inches. This rejection occurred despite the county having used the same barcoded mailers without issue in the 2024 elections. Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley described the rejection as 'ridiculous' and successfully appealed the decision after an initial denial. This incident serves as a test case for the potential disruptions stemming from President Trump's executive order aimed at restricting mail voting and the USPS's new design rules, which are currently under a federal court injunction.
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President Trump's Mail-Voting Restrictions Face Supreme Court Appeal Amid Midterm Elections

President Trump's Mail-Voting Restrictions Face Supreme Court Appeal Amid Midterm Elections

President Trump has once again appealed to the Supreme Court regarding restrictions on mail-in voting, as midterm elections approach. This legal challenge comes amidst ongoing litigation concerning an executive order issued by President Trump related to mail ballots. Whistleblowers within the Postal Service have raised concerns, alleging that efforts to comply with President Trump's executive order have been rushed and sloppy. These claims suggest potential issues with the integrity and efficiency of mail-in voting processes under the current directives. The timing of this appeal is critical, as midterm mail ballots have already begun to be distributed to voters, creating uncertainty around the voting procedures. The legal battle highlights a broader national debate over election security and accessibility, particularly concerning methods of voting during significant election cycles. The Supreme Court's decision could have far-reaching implications for how votes are cast and counted in the upcoming electio...
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Mail in ballot rules spark voter confusion. Where do things stand?

Mail in ballot rules spark voter confusion. Where do things stand?

Legal battles over USPS rules are causing confusion for voters. Learn how to ensure your ballot is counted.
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Justice Department Directs States to Preserve 2024 Election Records Amidst Voter Data Disputes

Justice Department Directs States to Preserve 2024 Election Records Amidst Voter Data Disputes

The Trump administration's Justice Department has instructed officials in over two dozen states to preserve records from the 2024 election. This directive is part of an ongoing effort by the administration to compel states to provide detailed voter records, despite facing multiple court losses in these attempts. Letters were sent to 29 states and the District of Columbia, advising election officials against destroying these records. The Justice Department has previously filed lawsuits to gain access to voter registration information, which includes addresses, dates of birth, driver's license numbers, and partial Social Security numbers. One such letter, obtained by The Associated Press, informed Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson that she was 'under investigation' and subject to ongoing litigation for not providing statewide voter registration lists. Eric Neff, acting chief of the Civil Rights Division's Voting Section, warned that failure to preserve relevant data could lead to 'civil and criminal sanctions' ...
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Representative Nikki Budzinski and Colleagues Challenge Postal Service Rule on Mail-In Voting

Representative Nikki Budzinski and Colleagues Challenge Postal Service Rule on Mail-In Voting

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), alongside 97 other colleagues, have urged Postmaster General David P. Steiner to revoke a Postal Service rule. This rule codifies President Trump’s Executive Order 14399, which aims to control mail-in ballots ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The lawmakers expressed concerns that the rule risks harming the democratic process and damaging the USPS's relationship with millions of Americans who rely on mail-in voting. They argue that the order imposes unconstitutional and unworkable restrictions, including requiring states to provide a 'citizenship verification list' and attempting to give USPS control over who can vote by mail. A 2025 Brookings Institution study found an average of just four cases of voter fraud for every 10 million mail-in ballots cast, indicating that states using universal mail-in voting have among the lowest fraud rates.
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Trump Administration's USPS Mail-In Voting Restrictions Face Supreme Court Review Amid Disenfranchisement Concerns

Trump Administration's USPS Mail-In Voting Restrictions Face Supreme Court Review Amid Disenfranchisement Concerns

The Trump administration is pursuing new restrictions on mail-in voting through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), a move that has drawn significant legal challenges and concerns about potential voter disenfranchisement. President Trump has consistently expressed strong opposition to mail-in voting, labeling it as 'dangerous' and 'a fraud.' While an outright ban on mail-in ballots is beyond presidential authority, an executive order issued in March directed USPS to implement new requirements for states and local jurisdictions regarding mail ballot processing. These requirements include obtaining federal sign-off on envelope designs, marking each ballot envelope with barcodes, and uploading full lists of mail ballot recipients to a federal portal. USPS would then cross-check these barcodes with the voter lists before delivery. Federal courts at both district and appellate levels have blocked this rule, and the Supreme Court is currently weighing whether to allow its implementation before the upcoming midterms....
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First Circuit Court Rejects Trump Administration's Attempt to Disrupt Mail Voting

First Circuit Court Rejects Trump Administration's Attempt to Disrupt Mail Voting

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has denied the Trump Administration's request to pause a federal court order that blocked changes to mail voting procedures by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). This decision marks another victory for a coalition of 24 attorneys general and the Governor of Pennsylvania, co-led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. The blocked changes, mandated by President Trump's second elections-related Executive Order, would have required state and local election officials to redesign and reprint ballot envelopes, enroll millions of voters in a new USPS system, and meet burdensome requirements that could lead to the refusal of mail ballot delivery. A U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts had previously granted a preliminary injunction, which remains in effect through the upcoming November midterm elections. The Trump Administration had appealed this decision, seeking to allow the changes to take effect, but the First Circuit upheld the injunction.
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Senator Adam Schiff Expresses Concern Over Potential ICE and Military Presence at Polling Places

Senator Adam Schiff Expresses Concern Over Potential ICE and Military Presence at Polling Places

Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) has voiced significant concerns regarding the potential deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or military personnel to polling places during the upcoming November elections. Schiff highlighted that some individuals associated with President Trump, such as Steve Bannon, have openly suggested sending ICE or Border Patrol agents to ballot locations. Schiff believes such actions are intended to discourage Latino citizens from voting due to fear. He noted that federal law prohibits troops from being present at election sites. However, past deployments of ICE agents to airports and an FBI raid on an election office in Fulton County, Georgia, have fueled his apprehension. Schiff argues that the Trump administration's success in the midterm elections may depend on suppressing voter turnout. He also expressed worry about broader attacks on voting, including a case before the Supreme Court that could significantly impact absentee voting, potentially leading to ch...
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DOJ Investigates Utah Lt. Governor Over Refusal to Provide Unredacted Voter Rolls

DOJ Investigates Utah Lt. Governor Over Refusal to Provide Unredacted Voter Rolls

Utah Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division for her refusal to provide unredacted copies of the state's voter registration rolls to the federal government. Henderson stated she was unaware of any investigation until receiving a letter from the DOJ, which cited potential non-compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1960, the National Voter Registration Act, and the Help America Vote Act of 2002. The DOJ has requested unredacted voter rolls from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Henderson argues that providing such sensitive information, including driver's license and Social Security numbers, without a valid legal reason is prohibited by state law, as only certain portions of voter rolls are publicly available. She believes the federal government's ultimate goal is to establish a nationwide, centralized voter registration system, which she asserts is neither legal nor constitutional. The U.S. Constitution grants states th...
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US appeals court rejects Trump mail-in ballot restrictions as Supreme Court considers rule

US appeals court rejects Trump mail-in ballot restrictions as Supreme Court considers rule

By Nate Raymond BOSTON, Sept 10 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Thursday declined to allow President Donald Trump's administration to implement a new U.S. Postal Service rule that would tighten mail-in voting requirements before November's congressional elections, as the U.S.
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Absentee Ballots Dispatched to Wisconsin Voters Amid Supreme Court Review of President Trump's Restrictions

Absentee Ballots Dispatched to Wisconsin Voters Amid Supreme Court Review of President Trump's Restrictions

Absentee ballots are currently being sent to Wisconsin voters, with nearly 50,000 ballots already dispatched as of Monday, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. This distribution is proceeding despite President Trump's ongoing efforts to restrict mail-in voting through an executive order, which is currently under review by the U.S. Supreme Court. President Trump had previously asked the Supreme Court to intervene, and the high court had cleared a path for his order, which would mandate states to provide voter data for absentee requests and grant the U.S. Postal Service authority to withhold ballots from certain voters. However, a lower federal court has twice blocked the Postal Service's rule for implementing this order, which would give the Postal Service control over who is eligible to vote absentee. The Wisconsin Elections Commission has advised clerks that the federal rule is not in effect, allowing them to continue sending out ballots under standard procedures. The city of Madison, for inst...