A federal district judge has intervened to block new mail-in voting regulations that were set to complicate the voting process just weeks ahead of the midterm elections. This decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by the Travis County Clerk’s Office.
The ruling was issued by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols in Washington, D.C., and marks the second time a federal court has halted these particular rules. The proposed regulations stemmed from an executive order signed by President Trump on March 31, which aimed to “reduce the risk of fraud and protect the integrity of Federal elections.” These rules were adopted by the U.S. Postal Service less than three weeks ago.
Under the new guidelines, the USPS would have been required to deliver mail-in or absentee ballots only to individuals listed on a “state-specific list” of eligible voters. Additionally, all mail-in ballots would have needed to be placed in envelopes adhering to new design standards, which included an official election logo and a unique barcode for tracking purposes, among other specifications.
In his ruling, Judge Nichols expressed concern that these rules would significantly increase the likelihood that many valid absentee or mail-in ballots would not be counted in the upcoming elections. He referenced statements from Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, who indicated that the regulations would impose “financial harms” on local governments. Limon-Mercado noted that Travis County had already incurred over $21,000 in expenses for mail-in ballot envelopes that would be deemed noncompliant under the new rules and would require additional funding to meet the new requirements.
“I am grateful that the judge recognized the significant financial, logistical, and practical burdens these rules would have imposed on voters and election administrators across the nation,” Limon-Mercado stated following the ruling. “Travis County will not stand on the sidelines or stay silent when rules threaten to burden or undermine our residents’ constitutional right to vote—whether they are voting by mail or casting a ballot in person this November.”
