Alabama Attorney General defends USPS mail-ballot measures amid Democratic lawsuit
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall argued that Democratic attorneys general are trying to block a Trump-era USPS rule aimed at securing mail-in voting, ahead of oral arguments in Boston.
Steve Marshall, Alabama’s attorney general, contended that Democratic officials are motivated by midterm concerns rather than election integrity, as they oppose a Trump executive order that directs the Postal Service to add tracking to mail-in ballots. He highlighted a July letter from 13 Republican attorneys general backing the rule, which also calls for an audit of state voter rolls. Twenty-five Democratic state attorneys general have sued, arguing the measure could disenfranchise voters and overstep constitutional limits.
Judge Indira Talwani, appointed by former President Barack Obama, issued a restraining order that may be extended while she considers a preliminary injunction. Marshall expressed doubt the Boston judge will side with the administration and noted the Trump team is seeking a stay from the First Circuit. He maintained the proposal simply ensures qualified voters can cast ballots and prevents illegal voting.
Why it matters
The dispute could shape how mail-in ballots are processed and verified for upcoming elections.
How this story developed
- Aug 22 Supreme Court Halts Lower Court Block on Trump Mail-Voting Order Amid Implementation Hurdles
- Aug 29 Utah senators and a representative publicly praised the Supreme Court’s ruling and defended the state’s mail‑in voting system.
- Aug 30 A climate researcher introduced a Supreme Court‑expansion litmus test for Senate Democrats.
- Aug 31 The Supreme Court issued a 6‑3 stay overturning the district‑court injunction.
- Aug 31 David Steiner, the new Postmaster General, said the USPS will obey the court decision that ultimately prevails on the voting rule.
- Aug 31 Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine told Senator Elissa Slotkin that the U.S. military will not send active-duty forces or federalized National Guard members to polling places for the November 2026 midterm elections.
- Aug 31 Supreme Court issued a 5‑4 order overturning the injunction that had paused the ballroom work.
- Aug 31 Judge Indira Talwani denied a request to suspend the 14‑day temporary restraining order and set an expedited hearing on a preliminary injunction.
- Sep 1 The White House awarded contracts for lighting work on the Harry S. Truman Bowling Alley, escort services for construction crews, and an undisclosed basement studio project.
- Sep 1 Senator Slotkin formally requested a written response from the Pentagon about possible troop deployment to polling sites.
- Sep 1 A whistleblower disclosed that the Postal Service is proceeding with the verification portal despite the district court’s injunction.
- Sep 1 Jim Clyburn publicly advocated expanding the Supreme Court to 13 justices.
- Sep 2 Speaker Mike Johnson announced a House vote on a constitutional amendment to limit the Supreme Court to nine justices.
- Sep 2 Supreme Court issued a 5‑4 stay permitting the ballroom construction to proceed while the lawsuit proceeds.
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