Trump’s proposal to limit mail-in votes is blocked by the Supreme Court.

In a blow to the White House, the US Supreme Court rejected President Donald Trump’s proposal to limit mail-in voting prior to the midterm elections in November. The US Postal Service (USPS) was temporarily prevented from implementing new restrictions for postal ballots by a federal judge’s injunction, which the court upheld.

In reaction, a legal organization stated that the ruling will stop the USPS from “sowing chaos in our elections.” However, it is unlikely to be the last word on the subject. Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh concurred with the decision but hinted that, if the case proceeds, he might eventually decide in Trump’s favour.

Regarding the court’s ruling, the White House has remained silent. In March, Trump signed an executive order directing the USPS to distribute votes only to voters on lists of citizens, claiming the regulations would prevent electoral fraud.

The action was challenged in court on the grounds that it infringed upon states’ constitutional rights to hold elections. Election officials from the District of Columbia and 24 Democratic-led states cautioned that the suggested modifications were not yet ready to be put into effect and might make it more difficult for voters to cast ballots. In the meantime, the president received legal support from a few Republican-led states, such as Florida, Louisiana, and Montana.

Justice Kavanaugh wrote in the opinion that there was “at least a fair prospect that the final rule falls within the Postal Service’s statutory authority“. But he argued that “applying the rule in the 2026 elections would be arbitrary and capricious”.

About 30% of voters utilized postal ballots in the last general election, primarily Democrats. States like Oregon, Washington, and Colorado rely significantly on mail-in voting, compelling Republicans to adapt. Republican election officials cautioned that changes to mail ballot rules close to midterms could cause confusion and disenfranchisement. Local officials have begun preparing contingencies, noting potential disenfranchisement in areas like Cherokee County, Georgia, which heavily supported Trump.

A recent Supreme Court decision was praised for preventing chaos in mail voting. Meanwhile, Trump continues to advocate restrictions on mail voting, despite voting by mail himself, citing concerns over fraud. His March executive order mandated unique barcodes for postal ballot envelopes and required state officials to provide voter information online.

In recent court filings, the Trump administration argued that new USPS rules regarding mail-in voting are constitutional, stating that states cannot exempt election-related mail from federal authority. A federal judge, Indira Talwani, issued an injunction against these rules on September 4, citing potential voter disenfranchisement close to the elections.

This decision was upheld by a US appeals court, and another judge, Carl Nichols, also ruled against Trump’s order. States have begun distributing mail-in ballots for the upcoming midterm elections, and changes to voting materials would entail significant costs and disruptions. Additionally, the Supreme Court previously ruled that states may count ballots postmarked by election day, countering Trump’s attempts to limit vote tallying. Trump has made unfounded claims regarding electoral fraud affecting the 2020 election.