The U.S. Supreme Court has left in place a lower court order blocking a new U.S. Postal Service rule affecting mail-in ballots, keeping the restrictions on hold as litigation continues ahead of the November election.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office joined a coalition challenging the rule, welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision not to stay the preliminary injunction.
“Today, the Supreme Court protected one of our most fundamental, inalienable rights—the right to make your voice heard at the ballot box,” James said in a Sept. 14 statement. “This last-minute change could have thrown our elections into chaos, and I am truly relieved the Court granted this reprieve.”
The dispute centers on new Postal Service requirements governing ballot mail for federal elections. The federal government argued that the requirements fell within the Postal Service’s authority to establish standards intended to ensure mail is properly delivered. States and voting rights groups challenging the rule argued that the changes were imposed too close to the Nov. 3 election and could interfere with state election procedures and the delivery of ballots.
James and a coalition of states sued Aug. 26 to stop the rule. A federal court issued a temporary restraining order the following day. On Sept. 4, the coalition secured a preliminary injunction preventing enforcement of the rule while the lawsuit proceeds.
The federal government later asked the Supreme Court to stay the preliminary injunction. The case was docketed as United States Postal Service, et al. v. California, et al., No. 26A305. The Supreme Court declined to lift the injunction, leaving the lower court order in place through the election.
“Voters should never have to wonder whether a ballot they legally cast will be counted because the federal government suddenly changed the rules,” James said. “We will keep fighting to make sure every eligible ballot is counted come November.”
James also urged eligible Americans to participate in the election and consider casting their ballots before Election Day.
“Now, I encourage all eligible Americans to get out and vote—and vote early,” she said.
The Supreme Court’s action does not resolve the underlying legal challenge. The preliminary injunction keeps the Postal Service rule from taking effect while the case continues through the federal courts.
