Federal judge issues temporary restraining order on new USPS mail-ballot rule
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani blocked key provisions of a USPS policy requiring ballot-envelope approval and voter data uploads, citing insufficient time and resources for states before the 2026 midterm elections.
U.S. District Judge Indira Taldua Talwani issued a 14-day temporary restraining order halting portions of a new Postal Service policy that would obligate election officials to submit ballot-envelope designs for approval and upload voter information to a USPS portal. The judge said states lack the time and money to redesign envelopes, obtain approvals, modify election-management systems, train staff and meet the requirements before the 2026 midterm elections, deeming compliance "practically impossible" and warning of potential voter disenfranchisement.
The rule, drafted in response to an executive order issued during the Trump administration, was previously blocked by a permanent injunction on June 25. The Supreme Court later stayed that injunction, allowing the Postal Service to finalize the policy, after which the lawsuit was amended to challenge the rule directly.
"Because of the antics of the left in this case, it’s very possible that we will not be able to get this rule put in place for the 2026 midterms," said Jason Snead, executive director of the Honest Election Project.
Snead and attorney Gregory Teufel argued that the rule merely codifies existing USPS recommendations and imposes minimal compliance burdens. They contend the Postal Service is seeking to improve mail-voting security, not to control elections.
"It’s a fairly straightforward rule… the burdens are extraordinarily minimal as far as compliance is concerned," Snead added.
Talwani’s order remains in effect while the Trump administration appeals her earlier judgment to the First Circuit. She is scheduled to hear arguments on a request for a preliminary injunction that could extend the block on the USPS rule.
"When the judge points to expenses and practical difficulties, those are expenses and difficulties created in part by the court itself—not by the rule," Teufel said.
The dispute centers on whether the Postal Service is exercising its authority to regulate mail or imposing election-related requirements, a question that will likely be resolved in ongoing litigation.