A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against a new Postal Service rule regarding mail-in ballots, citing the potential for voter disenfranchisement.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani has temporarily blocked a new Postal Service rule that dictates how mail-in ballots are processed for the 2026 midterm elections. The judge ruled that the regulation is likely unconstitutional and that its rushed implementation, less than 70 days before the election, threatens to disenfranchise millions of voters. The decision comes as North Carolina has already begun the process of mailing out ballots to voters.

Court Findings on the Rule

Judge Talwani found that the Postal Service rule imposes an impossible timeline for states to comply with requirements such as designing new ballots, seeking approval, and uploading voter data to a new electronic portal. She noted that the record contained no evidence of fraudulent mail voting to justify the rapid implementation of these changes. The ruling specifically applies to the 2026 midterm elections, as the judge determined the rule does not cause irreparable harm to later elections.

Legal Challenges and Appeals

The Justice Department has stated it will appeal the ruling to the First Circuit Court of Appeals. U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer argued that the judge's order creates confusion by making compliance voluntary for states that choose to follow the rule. Meanwhile, the administration has also asked the Supreme Court to override a separate, related order issued by Judge Talwani last week. The rule in question stems from an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on March 31.