Appeals court hands Trump admin temporary win in effort to restrict mail-in ballots from noncompliant states

A federal appeals court on Friday unanimously ruled to allow the US Postal Service (USPS) to continue developing a proposed rule that would change how mail-in ballots are handled, pausing a lower court order that had blocked the effort.

In a unanimous decision, a three-judge panel has allowed the Postal Service to move forward with a rule that would allow USPS to refuse to deliver mail-in ballots from states that do not provide voter registration. The appeals court concluded that USPS made a “strong showing that they will likely succeed” in arguing that the proposal was “neither constitutionally nor prudentially ripe for review” and is outside the scope of a previously reached settlement with the NAACP. 

The judges also found USPS demonstrated it would have “irreparable harm” if it could not implement the rule by the midterms because there “can be no do over” after the elections take place.

Earlier this month, Postmaster General David Steiner testified that USPS would not deliver mail-in ballots from states refusing to provide voter registration data. Steiner said the proposal is intended to ensure the “right ballots are going to the right people.” It stems from President Trump’s March executive order directing USPS to develop a rule requiring states to provide registration information and other election-related data. 

In June, the NAACP sued, arguing the proposal violates a 2021 settlement that requires the Postal Service to “prioritize monitoring and timely delivery of election mail” through the 2028 elections. A district judge had agreed, but the appeals court ruling grants a temporary victory for the Trump administration.

“This ruling is a win for election integrity and would have significant implications for states like California that refuse to submit their voter rolls to verify compliance with federal election laws,” said First Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli.

However, despite Friday’s ruling, the Trump administration cannot fully implement the executive order nationwide. A separate ruling issued last month continues to block portions of the order in nearly two dozen states, according to a report by The Hill. While the USPS is allowed to continue advancing its proposed rule, the executive order remains enforceable in states covered by the other injunction unless that order is overturned.