WASHINGTON — A federal judge has blocked new U.S. Postal Service rules that would have imposed additional requirements on mail-in ballots weeks before the 2026 midterm elections, responding to a lawsuit from the Travis County Clerk’s Office.
U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols issued the ruling Sunday in Washington, D.C., marking the second time a federal judge has blocked the rules.
The requirements remain under consideration at the U.S. Supreme Court, which could still allow the rules to take effect before Election Day.
The rules stem from an executive order President Donald Trump signed March 31 that sought to reduce the risk of election fraud and protect the integrity of federal elections. The U.S. Postal Service adopted the requirements less than three weeks ago.
Under the rules, USPS would deliver mail-in or absentee ballots only to voters listed on a state-specific registry of eligible voters.
The rules also require outgoing mail-in ballots to use newly designed envelopes featuring an official election logo, a unique trackable barcode and other specifications.
Nichols warned that the requirements could increase the risk that a significant number of otherwise valid absentee and mail-in ballots would not count in the upcoming elections.
The judge also cited potential financial harm to local governments, including Travis County.
Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado told the court that the county had already spent more than $21,000 on mail-in ballot envelopes that would not comply with the new requirements. The county would also need to spend additional funds to meet the new standards.
Limon-Mercado welcomed the ruling Monday, saying the requirements would have created financial, logistical and practical challenges for voters and election officials.
“I am grateful that the judge recognized the significant financial, logistical, and practical burdens these rules would have imposed on voters and election administrators across the nation,” Limon-Mercado said in a statement.
She added that Travis County would continue to challenge rules that could burden voters or affect their constitutional right to vote in the November election.
