{"id":2652504,"date":"2026-08-31T17:30:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T21:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-denies-trump-administration-bid-to-lift-temporary-block-on-mail-ballot-order\/"},"modified":"2026-08-31T17:35:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T21:35:06","slug":"judge-denies-trump-administration-bid-to-lift-temporary-block-on-mail-ballot-order","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-denies-trump-administration-bid-to-lift-temporary-block-on-mail-ballot-order\/","title":{"rendered":"Judge denies Trump administration bid to lift temporary block on mail-ballot order"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjudge-denies-trump-administration-bid-to-lift-temporary-block-on-mail-ballot-order%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2652504&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A federal judge has denied requests from the Trump administration and Republican-led states too lift a temporary block on key parts of a USPS rule related to election security, which was implemented under President TrumpS executive order. U.S. District judge Indira Talwani maintained the 14-day restraining order as the administration appeals, and scheduled an expedited hearing to decide on a longer-term injunction. The dispute centers on USPS\u2019s new regulations that set standards for ballot envelopes and require election officials to share voter data via a federal portal, aimed at ensuring only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-doj-south-carolina-reach-deal-on-uocava-voting-timeline-in-election-to-replace-lindsey-graham\/\" title=\"Exclusive: DOJ, South Carolina Reach Deal On UOCAVA Voting\">eligible voters receive ballots<\/a>. The judge questioned the authority of USPS to issue the rule and found it potentially unconstitutional,criticizing the Supreme Court\u2019s earlier brief decision as \u201ccynical.\u201d The Justice Department argued the rule&#8217;s informational requirements are limited and within USPS\u2019s authority, likening ballots to other sensitive mail like cremated remains. However, the judge expressed concerns that the new rule could hinder election preparations, especially with the midterms approaching, and emphasized the importance of stable election rules. This legal battle follows USPS\u2019s finalization of the regulation amid multiple challenges by states and voting organizations, with the case pending further judicial review and potential scrutiny by higher courts.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A federal judge on Monday denied requests from the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\">Trump administration<\/a> and Republican-led states to lift a temporary block on key parts of a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/usps\/\">U.S. Postal Service<\/a> rule implementing President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump\u2019s<\/a> executive order intended to secure federal elections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4704703\/trump-administration-appeal-second-block-mail-voting-order-usps\/#google_vignette\">left her 14-day temporary restraining order<\/a> in place as the administration pursues an appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit. Talwani has scheduled an expedited hearing on Thursday over whether to impose a longer-lasting preliminary injunction.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4706890\/force-feeding-suspect-national-guard-shooting\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Judge orders force-feeding for suspect in deadly National Guard shooting<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4706681\/judge-denies-trump-administration-bid-lift-temporary-block-on-mail-ballot-order\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Judge denies Trump administration bid to lift temporary block on mail-ballot order<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4705930\/anarchist-tech-investigation-trump-terrorism-crackdown\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Anarchist tech collective braces for investigation amid Trump\u2019s terrorism crackdown<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\">Justice Department<\/a> notified the district court on Friday that it was appealing Talwani\u2019s temporary block, which she issued Thursday. The administration and Republican-led states then asked Talwani to pause her order while the appeal proceeds.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talwani denied those requests on Monday, concluding that the temporary restraining order was unlikely to be immediately appealable because it lasts only 14 days and the court has established an expedited schedule for considering a preliminary injunction.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAlthough Defendants and Intervenor-Defendants seek a stay \u2018pending appeal,\u2019 the TRO is not an appealable order\u201d under federal law when it remains in effect for only 14 days, and an expedited hearing has been scheduled, Talwani wrote.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The USPS rule establishes ballot-envelope standards and requires state and local election officials to upload and certify voter information through a federal portal before using the mail service for federal ballots. If the rule were implemented, USPS would not deliver ballots from states that decline to share the required information or from states that use envelopes failing to meet the agency\u2019s criteria. The rule is meant to ensure only eligible voters receive ballots.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talwani again concluded that USPS likely lacked the authority to issue the rule and that the regulation was likely unconstitutional and contrary to law.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She also rejected the DOJ\u2019s interpretation of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/supreme-court\/\">Supreme Court\u2019s<\/a> succinct Aug. 24 ruling in the dispute, calling it \u201ccynical.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Supreme Court, in a brief order last week, found that an earlier challenge to Trump\u2019s executive order was premature because USPS had not yet issued a final rule. The Postal Service has since finalized the regulation, prompting states and voting organizations to bring renewed challenges.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA Final Rule has now issued, and contrary to Defendants\u2019 cynical interpretation, the Supreme Court has not endorsed the view that any challenge to the Final Rule is now too late,\u201d Talwani wrote.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The administration argued that appellate review of the temporary order could otherwise come too late for the Nov. 3 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\">midterm elections<\/a>. Talwani said that argument misconstrued the Supreme Court\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The judge also rejected the administration\u2019s characterization of the rule\u2019s requirements as \u201cmodest.\u201d She said the regulation conditions state use of USPS for election mail on the agency\u2019s approval of ballot and return envelopes and requires election officials to upload and certify voter information through its portal.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a filing Saturday, the DOJ argued that the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >rule imposes limited informational requirements<\/a> and falls within USPS\u2019s authority to establish special procedures for sensitive mail. The government compared the treatment of ballots to conditions the agency has adopted for items such as cremated remains and replica explosives.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talwani found that the risks to states and voters weighed in favor of keeping the temporary block in place. She cited declarations from election officials who said full compliance before the midterm elections would likely be impossible and could prevent eligible voters from receiving ballots.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The judge said her order was narrowly tailored and still allows USPS to establish its Ballot Mail Portal and communicate with states about ballot-design standards. States may participate voluntarily, but the agency cannot make compliance mandatory while the temporary order remains in effect.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talwani concluded that imposing the changes roughly two months before the midterm elections would conflict with the public\u2019s need for \u201cclear and settled\u201d rules of the road.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The renewed legal battle began after USPS <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4697419\/usps-final-rule-restrict-mail-in-voting\/\">issued its final rule<\/a> earlier this month to implement portions of Trump\u2019s March executive order on election security. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4701530\/24-states-sue-block-usps-mail-in-ballot-rule-midterm-elections\/\">Twenty-four states<\/a> and voting organizations challenged the regulation after it was finalized.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4704703\/trump-administration-appeal-second-block-mail-voting-order-usps\/#google_vignette\">TRUMP ADMINISTRATION APPEALS JUDGE\u2019S SECOND BLOCK ON MAIL-IN VOTING ORDER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talwani previously blocked parts of the executive order before USPS completed its rulemaking process. The Supreme Court <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/4677698\/supreme-court-clears-path-trump-mail-ballot-executive-order-emergency-petition\/\">last week found that challenge premature<\/a>, clearing the way for the agency to finalize the regulation and for opponents to challenge the completed rule.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 1st Circuit must now confront whether to review Talwani\u2019s short-term order, though it is not clear whether the appeals court will act before her expedited hearing on Thursday. The dispute could ultimately return to the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Judge denies Trump admin&#8217;s bid to lift USPS voting rule block<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2652505,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP20231702698465.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[3728,4901,37054],"class_list":["post-2652504","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-election","tag-justice","tag-mail-in-voting"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP20231702698465.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2652504","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2652504"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2652504\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2652513,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2652504\/revisions\/2652513"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2652505"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2652504"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2652504"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2652504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}