A federal judge on Thursday night issued a temporary order blocking the Trump administration from putting in place key provisions of a newly finalised rule aimed at restricting mail-in voting. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani said the order prevents the United States Postal Service from increasing its oversight of mail-in voting, after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that would effectively place the Postal Service in the role of primary enforcer for whether mail voters meet eligibility requirements. Temporary Order Halts key ProvisionsTalwani’s ruling blocks the implementation of the newly finalised rule for at least 14 days. The decision restricts the government’s plan to expand the Postal Service’s involvement in the mail-voting process by limiting action that would increase oversight relating to mail-voter eligibility. The order was issued as the administration moved to finalise and advance the rule following the executive order issued by Trump. Court Limits Postal Service RoleUnder Talwani’s temporary injunction, the Postal Service is barred from taking steps that would amount to additional supervision of mail-in voting in connection with the eligibility standards referenced in the administration’s approach. The executive order that led to the rule sought to use the Postal Service as the central mechanism for enforcing eligibility requirements for mail voters. Talwani’s latest action halts that effort, at least temporarily, by stopping the rule’s key components from taking effect. Prior Block on Executive Order LiftedTalwani had previously blocked Trump’s executive order, but that decision was later reversed. On Wednesday, she lifted her own block after the Supreme Court ruled on Monday that she had moved too quickly at the time. The Supreme Court’s decision meant the executive order could proceed, prompting the administration to finalise the rule restricting mail-in voting further. Shortly thereafter, the judge returned with the new temporary order. New Ruling Adds Delay of at Least 14 DaysThursday night’s order keeps the newly finalised rule from being implemented immediately, giving the challenge an additional pause while the dispute remains before the courts. The ruling lasts for at least 14 days, delaying the administration’s attempt to apply the rule’s core provisions that would involve the Postal Service more directly in oversight of mail-voter eligibility. Join the discussion? 28 August 2026
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