USPS ballot-mail rule blocked for 2026; possible comeback by 2028

The Supreme Court denied the Trump administration’s emergency bid to lift a lower-court injunction blocking a USPS rule that would mandate certain mail-ballot envelope design and data uploads ahead of the 2026 midterms, leaving the rule blocked for now. Justice Kavanaugh suggested there is likely statutory authority for the rule, while Justices Alito and Thomas dissented, signaling the policy could survive in court and potentially take effect before 2028 if litigation allows. Democratic state attorneys general argued the rule violates the Elections Clause; for 2026, ballots will go out under existing rules, with ongoing litigation potentially reopening the issue in the future.