US President Donald Trump has attacked the Supreme Court after it rejected his administration’s attempt to tighten rules for mail ballots.
The ruling blocks the US Postal Service from enforcing new requirements ahead of the November midterm elections.
Trump has strongly criticised mail-in voting for years.
His latest reaction came after the court refused to allow his administration to move ahead with the restrictions.
Trump mail ballots plan suffers court setback
The Trump administration wanted the Postal Service to introduce stricter rules for mail-in ballots.
The plan was linked to an executive order signed by Trump in March.
Under the proposed rules, states would have had to provide lists of people receiving mail ballots.
The ballots would also have needed USPS-approved envelopes with specific barcodes.
Ballots that did not meet the requirements could have been rejected by the Postal Service.
The administration argued that the changes would help prevent voting fraud.
Opponents said the rules could disrupt legitimate ballots.
Supreme Court refuses to allow the rules
The Supreme Court declined to let the Postal Service enforce the new requirements before the midterm elections.
The decision upheld an earlier ruling that blocked the policy.
Justice Neil Gorsuch and other conservative members of the court did not join the dissent.
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito were the two dissenters.
The ruling is a setback for Trump’s efforts to change how mail voting is administered.
It also comes only weeks before voters head to the polls for the midterm elections.
Trump turns his criticism on the court
Trump responded angrily to the decision.
He criticised the Supreme Court and also targeted some of the justices he appointed.
Trump has previously criticised members of the court when they ruled against parts of his agenda.
His latest comments again highlighted tensions between the president and some conservative members of the judiciary.
The president praised Thomas and Alito for opposing the ruling.
He has also accused the court of making decisions that hurt his administration.
States control election administration
The dispute has raised a broader question about who has the power to regulate elections in the United States.
States traditionally play the main role in running elections.
The Trump administration argued that the Postal Service had authority to introduce the new mail ballot requirements.
Opponents challenged that position.
They argued that the federal government was trying to interfere with powers reserved for the states.
Lower courts had already blocked the policy.
A federal appeals court also refused to lift an earlier injunction.
Mail voting remains a major election issue
Mail voting is expected to remain an important issue during the 2026 midterm elections.
Trump and his allies have pushed for tighter controls.
They say stronger rules are needed to protect election integrity.
Voting rights groups have warned that sudden changes could create confusion.
They have also raised concerns that valid ballots could be rejected.
The Supreme Court’s latest decision means the Postal Service cannot impose the proposed restrictions before the midterms.
The ruling gives another legal setback to Trump’s efforts to restrict mail voting.
It also ensures that the existing system remains in place as the November elections approach.
Source: CTV News
