A US federal judge has temporarily blocked the Postal Service from implementing core parts of a rule ordered by President Donald Trump that would tighten mail-ballot requirements ahead of the November congressional elections.

US District Judge Indira Talwani issued a 14-day restraining order after Democratic-led states and voting-rights groups argued that the rule could prevent eligible citizens from voting and force election offices to redesign systems only weeks before ballots are mailed.

The dispute affects far more than a marginal voting method. About 30 per cent of American voters cast ballots by mail in the 2024 election, and the US Postal Service says it processed nearly 100 million ballots that year.

What the New Postal Rule Required

States would have been required to provide the Postal Service with lists of people receiving mail ballots. Outgoing and returned ballot envelopes would need unique barcodes and formats approved by the agency.

Under the rule, the Postal Service could refuse to deliver ballots that failed to meet the new standards or were connected to voters whose details did not appear on the uploaded list.

Supporters of tighter mail-voting rules argue that standardised tracking and verification would improve security and public confidence. Opponents say the rule would place election administration under an executive agency without evidence of widespread mail-ballot fraud.

Why the Judge Intervened

Talwani said the agency had not produced evidence of a fraud problem sufficient to justify the changes and found that the rule was likely unlawful. The US Constitution gives states the primary role in administering elections, although Congress also has significant power over federal election rules.

The judge concluded that the risk of widespread disenfranchisement outweighed the government's stated interest in addressing an unsubstantiated problem.

The restraining order does not finally decide the case. It pauses enforcement while the court considers whether to issue a longer preliminary injunction at a hearing scheduled for September 3.

Why the Supreme Court Ruling Did Not End the Case

Earlier injunctions against Trump's plan were lifted after a Supreme Court ruling on procedural grounds. That did not amount to a final judgment that every part of the new Postal Service rule was constitutional.

Once the agency issued a formal rule and it was allowed to take effect, states and voting-rights groups renewed their challenges. The latest order addresses the immediate risk created by implementation close to the election calendar.

An appeal could return the dispute to a higher court, including the Supreme Court.

How Mail Voting Works Across America

All 50 states allow some form of postal or absentee voting, but the rules vary sharply. Twenty-nine states allow voters to request a mail ballot without providing a special reason, while eight conduct elections primarily or entirely by mail.

That decentralised system is one reason a national presidential directive is legally contentious. States design ballots, register voters and administer elections, while the federal Postal Service transports the envelopes.

Unlike India, the United States has no single national election commission controlling a uniform voting process. Comparisons with India's limited postal-ballot system therefore cannot be converted directly into American law.

What Happens Next?

The September 3 hearing will determine whether the pause should continue. States must meanwhile prepare ballots without knowing whether the new requirements will return before voting begins.

The practical issue is time. Even if the government ultimately wins part of the legal argument, election administrators may contend that imposing new envelopes, barcodes, databases and training close to polling creates unacceptable operational risk.

FAQs

Has Trump's mail-voting plan been permanently struck down?

No. The judge issued a temporary 14-day order and will consider a longer injunction.

How many Americans vote by mail?

States told the court that approximately 30 per cent of voters used mail ballots in the 2024 election.

Can the US President directly change state election rules?

The president has limited authority. States and Congress hold important constitutional powers over elections, which is central to the current lawsuit.

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The US Department of Justice has sent federal prosecutors to observe ballot processing in Los Angeles during the ongoing count in California’s gubernatorial primary election. The decision comes amid heightened political tension and allegations of electoral irregularities raised by US President Donald Trump.

Officials from the LA County registrar-recorder’s office confirmed that an assistant US attorney was present at the Ballot Processing Centre to monitor procedures and was given an overview of the public observation system.

The development has added further scrutiny to an already closely watched election in the country’s largest state.

Allegations and Political Tension

The intervention follows repeated claims by President Donald Trump alleging that California Democrats were attempting to “rig” the election process. State authorities, however, have firmly rejected these accusations, stating that ballot counting procedures prioritise accuracy over speed.

US Department of Justice officials, along with FBI representatives in Los Angeles, have reportedly launched multiple election-related investigations, according to statements made by federal prosecutors.

Election officials in California maintain that delays in results are a standard feature of the state’s vote-counting system, which relies heavily on mail-in ballots and verification processes designed to ensure accuracy.

Slow Counting Sparks Debate

The ongoing delay in final results has contributed to misinformation and political speculation surrounding the integrity of the electoral process. Officials in Los Angeles County emphasised that millions of ballots are still being processed, making the timeline for results longer than in other states.

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber reiterated that election offices are focused on ensuring every valid vote is counted accurately, even if that takes additional time.

Candidates and Election Outcome

The gubernatorial race features high-profile candidates, including Steve Hilton, Xavier Becerra, and Tom Steyer. According to early outcomes, Xavier Becerra has advanced in the race, setting up a final contest expected in November.

Gavin Newsom’s office has defended the state’s election system, noting that California prioritises accuracy and accessibility over rapid reporting of results.

Broader Political Context

The controversy comes amid a highly polarised political environment in the United States, where election integrity debates have intensified in recent years. Federal involvement in state-level ballot observation is being closely watched for its implications on electoral governance and public trust.

While Trump has publicly claimed irregularities, California officials and election administrators continue to insist that the system is functioning as designed, with safeguards to prevent fraud and ensure transparency.