Federal Judge Blocks Part of Trump’s Mail-In Voting Executive Order
A Massachusetts federal judge recently halted the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from executing a segment of President Donald Trump’s executive directive aimed at tightening mail-in voting rules for the 2026 midterm elections.
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued a preliminary injunction against enforcing Section 3 of Executive Order 14399 for the elections on November 3, or any prior federal election. This action prevents the USPS from refusing to handle mail-in or absentee ballots under the challenged section and halts rulemaking to implement related regulations for the upcoming elections.
The injunction does not stop the federal government from providing nonbinding guidance on ballot-mail envelopes to the USPS.
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This development follows a renewed request for a preliminary injunction heard by Talwani. The Trump administration anticipates appealing the ruling to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston.
Trump’s order, signed in March, was part of his agenda to ensure election integrity. It instructed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to compile lists of confirmed U.S. citizens eligible to vote, set new USPS standards for mail-in ballots, and directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prioritize investigations into election officials issuing federal ballots to ineligible voters.
Trump remarked, “Cheating on mail-in voting is legendary. It’s horrible. Democrats want to use it for cheating.”
The ruling arrives after the 1st Circuit earlier dismissed the administration’s attempts to enforce other sections of the order amid ongoing legal challenges.
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On July 25, a 2-1 decision by the appeals court denied the DOJ’s request to pause a June ruling blocking several order elements in 23 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia, a case spearheaded by California, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Washington. The states argued the Constitution assigns primary responsibility for administering federal elections to states, asserting Trump overstepped by imposing new voting requirements.
Previously, in June, Judge Talwani blocked several order provisions, citing they likely exceeded presidential authority. The appeals court maintained that injunction while the appeal continues.
The DOJ had indicated it might seek emergency relief from the U.S. Supreme Court if unsuccessful.
The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts welcomed the ruling, emphasizing its role in safeguarding voting rights for those using mail ballots. A representative stated, “The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts commends the court for upholding one of our most sacred constitutional rights: the right to vote.”
The White House, DOJ, and USPS have not commented on these developments. Talwani required the plaintiff organizations to post a nominal $100 bond by August 18.
Brittany Miller, a Fox News Digital breaking news writer and former Independent reporter, graduated from Syracuse University in 2023.