Judicial Order Blocking Trump’s Post Office Rule For Mail-In Ballots Lifted After SCOTUS Intervention

A federal judge lifted a preliminary injunction Wednesday blocking President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting mail-in voting.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani vacated her injunction because the U.S. Supreme Court allowed some of Trump’s mail-in ballot limits in the case, Trump v. California. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) said it would not apply the rule to the 2026 elections unless they were lifted.

“In sum, the court finds that, in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. California, Plaintiff Organizations are not likely to prevail as to ripeness without amending their complaint to reflect the fact that a Final Rule has now issued. Accordingly, the court GRANTS Defendants’ Motion to Reconsider [Doc. No. 196] and VACATES its August 11, 2026 Preliminary Injunction, see Mem. & Order [Doc. No. 183],” Talwani wrote.

Section 3 of the executive order required the USPS to “establish uniform standards for mail-in or absentee ballot services” by marking it as “Official Election Mail” and add a unique Intelligent Mail barcode. It also required the USPS to coordinate with the USPS Office of Inspector General and the Department of Justice to investigate suspected unlawful use of the mail involving federal election materials.

Talwani issued a nationwide preliminary injunction on Aug. 11, which barred the USPS from implementing Section 3 of the executive order on or before Nov. 3.

A court in California issued a similar injunction, which reached the Supreme Court. The high court stayed the injunction, allowing the administration to move forward with the executive order. The court’s ruling prompted Talwani to vacate her own preliminary injunction without prejudice.