Appeals Court Keeps USPS Mail Ballot Rules Blocked, Citing Risk to Millions of Voters
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Sep 10
Appeals Court Keeps USPS Mail Ballot Rules Blocked, Citing Risk to Millions of Voters
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Sep 10
Summary
A three-judge First Circuit panel refused to lift last week’s injunction, leaving the Postal Service’s new mail-ballot rule blocked before the November midterms.
In a nine-page opinion, the court said the Trump administration failed to show the rule would avoid “chaos and widespread voter disenfranchisement” or that the lower court likely erred in finding it unlawful.
The judges also said there was no record evidence of past or impending mail-voting fraud, and warned the rule could disenfranchise millions while offering little if any anti-fraud benefit.
The USPS rule would require ballot design changes, unique barcodes, voter data submissions through an online portal, and postal verification of ballot mailings, with noncompliant mail returned to election offices.
The administration has separately asked the Supreme Court for emergency relief for a third time, arguing USPS has statutory authority to impose the requirements.