Boston judge weighs extending injunction on USPS mail-ballot system for midterms

In Boston, U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani is set to consider extending a court-ordered ban on the U.S. Postal Service’s new mail-ballot procedures ahead of the midterm elections. She had earlier imposed a 14-day temporary restraining order, which is due to lapse as more states start sending ballots. The Supreme Court last month found that order premature, noting the Postal Service had not published the required regulations at that time.

After the agency released its rules, voting-rights advocates refiled their challenges, arguing the president lacks authority to dictate election processes. The case may return to the Supreme Court, and election officials warn the new requirements could force costly operational overhauls. A whistleblower report warned that the rule could cause large numbers of ballots to be discarded if any barcode error occurs.