Trump’s mail-ballot push suffers another court setback ahead of midterms: Judge warns ‘significant number’ of votes could go uncounted

US President Donald Trump’s effort to change the handling of mail-in ballots has encountered another legal setback, with a second federal judge blocking the implementation of new US Postal Service requirements ahead of the midterm elections.

US District Judge Carl J. Nichols in Washington, DC, issued a preliminary injunction late Sunday preventing the Postal Service from enforcing the new regulations while the legal challenge proceeds.

The rules were introduced by the agency last month following an executive order signed by Trump earlier this year.

The timing has emerged as a central issue in the dispute, with election officials raising concerns about whether major procedural changes can realistically be implemented so close to an election.

Judge warns mail-in ballots could go uncounted

In issuing the injunction, Judge Nichols focused on the potential consequences for voters if the regulations were allowed to take effect immediately.

“Plaintiffs have demonstrated that, absent an injunction, there is an increased risk that a significant number of otherwise appropriate absentee or mail-in ballots will ultimately not be counted in the upcoming elections,” Nichols wrote.

He added that the public has a “strong interest” in ensuring such an outcome does not occur.

The ruling does not represent a final judgment on the broader legality of the policy. Instead, the preliminary injunction temporarily prevents enforcement while the underlying litigation continues.

What would the new Postal Service rules change?

The disputed regulations would introduce new requirements affecting the distribution and processing of election mail.

According to the Associated Press, ballot-envelope designs would have to receive advance approval from the US Postal Service.

States would also be required to upload identifying information for people scheduled to receive ballots into an online portal.

However, that portal was reportedly not yet active as election preparations were already underway.

The timing is particularly significant because mail ballots have already begun going out in at least three states Alabama, North Carolina and Wisconsin while additional states are preparing to begin distribution.

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That overlap between an approaching election and unfinished implementation infrastructure has become an important part of the legal challenge.

Nichols previously rejected an earlier request

Sunday’s decision also represents a change from Judge Nichols’ earlier handling of a similar challenge.

In May, Nichols rejected an earlier request for court intervention after concluding that the lawsuit had been brought prematurely.

Developments since then, including the approaching elections and implementation of the Postal Service regulations, have altered the circumstances surrounding the dispute.

A separate legal battle involving US District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston has also moved through the courts.

That case has reached the US Supreme Court as the Trump administration challenges the lower-court proceedings, highlighting the broader legal uncertainty surrounding the administration’s efforts to change mail-ballot procedures.

Mail voting emerges as another midterm legal battleground

The latest ruling comes at a sensitive moment for election administrators.

Mail-in and absentee voting procedures require coordination among state election authorities, voters and the US Postal Service, meaning even administrative changes can have significant consequences when introduced close to Election Day.

Supporters of tighter election-mail requirements may argue that additional controls can strengthen procedural safeguards and consistency.

The plaintiffs challenging the regulations, however, have focused on the possibility that implementing new requirements at this stage could disrupt ballot distribution and ultimately prevent eligible votes from being counted.

For now, Judge Nichols’ preliminary injunction puts enforcement of the challenged Postal Service requirements on hold.

With another related dispute already involving the Supreme Court, the fight over Trump’s mail-ballot policies may be far from settled and the final legal outcome could carry significant consequences for how Americans cast and process absentee ballots during the midterm elections.