WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday blocked a Trump administration plan that would have changed how mail ballots are handled ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, a major setback for the White House on voting rules.
In a brief unsigned order on the emergency docket, the justices left in place a lower-court injunction that stops the U.S. Postal Service from rolling out parts of a new screening rule. The majority said the government was unlikely to succeed on the merits and that the equitable factors did not favor a stay.
What the Rule Would Have Done
Under the disputed approach, the Postal Service would have taken a larger role in checking which ballots could move through the mail system. Voting-rights groups and several states argued the change would create confusion after many jurisdictions had already begun preparing or sending ballots.
Mail ballots have accounted for a large share of votes in recent federal elections. Officials in multiple states said a late shift in postal procedures risked delaying delivery or sowing uncertainty for voters who rely on absentee and mail options.
Split on the Court
Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas publicly dissented. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote separately that election officials did not have enough time to implement the rule before November, even while suggesting the Postal Service might have statutory authority that could be tested later.
President Donald Trump criticized the decision on social media, focusing on the justices who ruled against the administration’s request.
What Happens Next
For now, states can continue mail-ballot processes under existing law and logistics. Legal challenges over the underlying rule may continue, but the midterm calendar left little room for a nationwide procedural overhaul this close to Election Day.
Election administrators said clarity matters as early voting expands. The court’s order reduces the chance of a sudden postal-rule change disrupting ballots already in transit or about to be mailed.
Related Discussion
President Trump expressed frustration with the Supreme Court after justices declined to lift an injunction on a postal tracking system for mail-in ballots ahead of the midterm elections.
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) September 15, 2026
Reporting compiled from court filings and public statements. This article is for news purposes and does not offer legal advice.
