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US Supreme Court blocks USPS mail ballot rules ahead of midterms
The US Supreme Court has blocked the US Postal Service (USPS) from enforcing new regulations regarding mail-in ballots ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. In a 7-2 decision, the Court denied a request to lift a preliminary injunction, effectively preserving existing state-level mail ballot systems and preventing the implementation of a federally mandated tracking portal and standardized envelope requirements.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh argued that election officials lacked sufficient time to implement the new rules before the vote, while Justice Samuel Alito dissented, suggesting opposing states created the time constraints. The proposed rules, which stemmed from a March executive order, would have required states to use a specific federal online system and unique barcodes on all mail-in envelopes.
In response to the election cycle, the USPS announced extraordinary measures to ensure ballot delivery. These include extending retail branch hours from October 4 through November 3, establishing 'Ballot Postmark Only' lines or drive-through options, and conducting expedited handling and special pickups. Additionally, starting October 24, mail carriers will be required to check every delivery point for outgoing mail, regardless of whether they have incoming mail for that address.
Entities
Brett Kavanaugh · Donald Trump · Samuel Alito · Supreme Court of the United States · US Postal Service
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Supreme Court issued a 7-2 order blocking the US Postal Service from enforcing new mail ballot regulations. siliconeer.com · www.world-today-news.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The USPS may establish 'Ballot Postmark Only' lines or drive-through ballot mail options. www.devdiscourse.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Starting October 24, mail carriers must check every delivery point for outgoing mail regardless of incoming mail. www.devdiscourse.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The USPS delivered 99.2 million ballots during the 2024 presidential election. www.devdiscourse.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Justice Brett Kavanaugh argued that election officials lack sufficient time to implement the rule before elections. www.world-today-news.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The USPS plans to implement expedited handling, extra deliveries, and special ballot pickups. www.devdiscourse.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The USPS will extend retail branch hours from October 4 through the November 3 election to handle ballots. www.devdiscourse.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Justice Samuel Alito and Justice Clarence Thomas dissented, citing a time crunch created by opposing states. www.world-today-news.com