Federal judge extends block on Trump order seeking to limit mail voting in the midterms
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- A federal judge on Friday extended her prohibition against the U.S. Postal Service implementing President Donald Trump's executive order seeking to limit mail voting during the midterms, putting another major obstacle in the way of the administration as the first states begin sending out mail ballots.
The preliminary injunction from U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani replaces a temporary order she granted blocking the Postal Service's plan.
The Trump administration had already asked the Supreme Court to lift Talwani's temporary order, and on Friday it informed her that it would appeal her latest decision to the U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals.
The administration is running out of time to make big changes in voting procedures, though. North Carolina began sending out its first mail ballots Friday and more states will swiftly follow.
The legal battle could have major ramifications for this year's elections, when control of Congress is at stake. Nearly one-third of voters in the U.S. cast mail ballots and election officials contend there isn't enough time to revise their systems to comply with the new Postal Service directives.
Talwani, who was appointed by President Barack Obama, pointed to the tight timeline in her ruling.
"Plaintiff States are required under state law to mail millions of ballots to voters on a prescribed timeframe. As detailed below, they are unable to pivot this late in the election cycle, nearly guaranteeing significant disenfranchisement for eligible voters," she wrote.
The White House did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.