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Supreme Court blocks Trump mail ballot restrictions
BBC News··15 Sept
The US Supreme Court rejected President Donald Trump's plan to restrict mail voting before November midterms, upholding a judge's order blocking new Postal Service ballot rules. Trump's March executive order directed USPS to deliver ballots only to voters on citizenship lists. Officials from 24 Democratic-led states and Washington DC warned the changes were not ready. Justices Alito and Thomas dissented.
Prism
What It Means For You
- States already printing or mailing ballots can keep existing procedures for now.
- About 30 percent of voters cast postal ballots in the general election two years ago.
- Local clerks told the BBC they were drafting contingency plans if rules changed late.
What's Happening
- Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the majority but signalled the final merits could differ later.
- Boston Judge Indira Talwani imposed an injunction on September 4 blocking the order.
- A US appeals court last week refused to pause that injunction.
What the Postal Service order sought
- The order also directed unique barcodes on postal ballot envelopes.
- Florida, Louisiana and Montana supported the president in court filings.
- Seven Republican state election officials warned late changes would cause mistakes and delays.
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