Judge blocks new mail-voting rules as midterms approach

A federal judge has temporarily blocked new Postal Service rules that would tighten requirements

for voting by mail ahead of November's midterms. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani halted key

parts of the new rule for at least 14 days, citing, for now at least, with 24 states and

Washington, D.C. that sued to block it. The rule was issued in response to President Trump's

executive order on mail voting and would mandate states meet new requirements for ballot envelopes

and provide the Postal Service with lists of mail ballot recipients. But the judge said most of the states have already ordered their ballots

and some are required by law to start sending them as early as next week

She said forcing states to comply now would cause, quote, irreparable harm because they don't have enough time or money to redesign ballots

update election systems, and train workers before the midterms. The judge also said Congress has not given the Postal Service the authority

to regulate election mail. The Justice Department is expected to appeal, meaning the fight could once again end up before the Supreme Court