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NewsKPBS Public MediaSeptember 14, 2026San Diego County

Supreme Court Rejects Trump Administration Mail Ballot Restrictions Ahead of Midterms

Photo: KPBS Public Media

The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration's proposed mail ballot restrictions for the upcoming midterm elections, allowing states to continue using their existing mail-in voting processes. The plan would have required uniform envelope styles and online voter list portals backed by Postal Service delivery refusals for non-compliant states. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented, while Justice Brett Kavanaugh indicated potential future support for the restrictions.

Supreme CourtVoting RightsMail in BallotsElectionsPostal Service
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Why It Matters

Nearly one-third of the country votes by mail, and the court's decision ensures voters in states like Alabama, North Carolina, and Wisconsin can use established mail-in voting processes for the midterm elections without sudden administrative overhauls.

Key Facts

  • The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration's mail ballot restrictions for the midterms in a brief order.
  • States are permitted to continue sending out mail ballots under their existing, long-standing processes.
  • Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented from the order.
  • Justice Brett Kavanaugh agreed to block the restrictions for the midterms but noted he might rule in favor of the administration later.
  • The Trump plan would have required states to adopt a uniform envelope style and submit lists of eligible voters to an online portal.
  • The Postal Service could have refused to deliver ballots to states that failed to comply with the proposed requirements.
  • A whistleblower report warned that the portal's flaws and strict bar code errors could result in millions of unmailed or discarded ballots.
  • Democratic state officials and voting rights groups challenged the plan in court.
  • Lower courts previously blocked the Trump administration's plan, including a preliminary injunction from a judge nominated by Trump.
  • Nearly one-third of the country votes by mail.
  • Alabama, North Carolina, and Wisconsin had already begun sending mail ballots to voters under existing rules.

Who's Mentioned

PersonJoe Biden“Democrat who won the 2020 election.”locationWisconsin“State that began sending mail ballots to voters while the new system was not act”OrganizationPostal Service“Federal agency that could refuse to deliver ballots to states that didn't comply”PersonDonald Trump“President whose administration proposed the mail ballot restrictions.”PersonSamuel Alito“Justice who dissented from the brief order.”locationNorth Carolina“State that began sending mail ballots to voters while the new system was not act”OrganizationSupreme Court“Issued the order rejecting the mail ballot restrictions for now.”PersonClarence Thomas“Justice who dissented from the brief order.”locationAlabama“State that began sending mail ballots to voters while the new system was not act”PersonBrett Kavanaugh“Justice who agreed the restrictions should not go into effect for the midterms b”