The Trump administration renewed its appeal to the US Supreme Court on Sunday to allow restrictions on mail-in voting, days before states begin distributing ballots for November’s midterm elections. The filing followed a federal judge’s decision to extend an order blocking new limits.
US District Court Judge Indira Talwani on Friday extended a court order preventing the US Postal Service from enforcing an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. The order sought to impose new limits on how mail-in ballots are handled.
The administration’s latest request asks the justices to lift the lower court’s block and permit the restrictions to take effect. The dispute reaches the high court as several states prepare to send ballots to voters who intend to cast votes by mail.
Mail-in voting has been a recurring point of legal conflict during Trump’s second term. His administration has argued that restrictions are needed to secure the process, while opponents contend the measures would disenfranchise voters who rely on postal ballots.
The current fight is the latest in a series of filings on the issue. The administration previously asked the justices to revive the mail-in voting order ahead of the midterms, and Democratic-led states have separately sued the Postal Service to block the rule.
Talwani’s order keeps the existing procedures in place while litigation continues. The extension means the Postal Service cannot apply the executive order’s terms as ballots start going out to voters this month.
The Supreme Court has not indicated when it will rule on the administration’s request. The midterm elections are scheduled for November.