Federal Judge Blocks Trump Rules Restricting Mail-In Voting

A federal judge in Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order blocking a Donald Trump administration effort to impose restrictive new regulations on voting by mail. The rules, stemming from a March 2026 executive order, directed the United States Postal Service to implement requirements for preapproved envelope designs, individual ballot scanning, and the creation of a national list of eligible voters to restrict ballot delivery.

Judge Indira Talwani blocked the measures in League of Women Voters v. Trump, utilizing the major questions doctrine to argue that such sweeping changes to election conduct require clear congressional authorization. This ruling follows a previous action by the Supreme Court of the United States to reinstate the administration's order. The current block is set to expire in two weeks, and the Trump administration is appealing the decision.

A coalition of Democratic-led states, including California and Washington, filed the lawsuit arguing the rules infringe on state authority over elections. California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the rules a clear violation of the Constitution, while Washington officials warned of a significant risk of disenfranchisement before the November election. Arizona Secretary of State Steve Hobbs described the court's decision as relief for election officials tasked with administering secure elections.