A federal appeals court in Boston has rejected the Trump administration's attempt to impose stricter mail-in voting rules in 23 states before the November congressional elections. The ruling upholds an injunction issued by a lower court judge, who found key parts of the president's executive order unconstitutional.
The Department of Justice had argued that the lawsuit challenging the order was premature because government agencies had yet to finalise implementation. However, the First US Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, disagreed, stating that the order imposed rapidly approaching deadlines requiring states to comply with new voting procedures.
The executive order, signed by Donald Trump in March, directs the Department of Homeland Security to compile citizenship lists for states, requires the US Postal Service to only deliver ballots to approved mail-in voters, and prioritises prosecution of election officials who issue ballots to ineligible individuals. The order has been criticised as an overreach of presidential authority.
Judge Indira Talwani, who issued the original injunction, ruled that the president lacked authority to direct DHS to compile voter eligibility lists and that the USPS had no statutory basis to adopt binding mail-in voting regulations. She also noted the order could intimidate local election officials.
The Justice Department has warned it may now ask the Supreme Court to intervene. The ruling comes amid ongoing Republican efforts to tighten voting laws, with Trump continuing to promote false claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election.
