Obama-Appointed Judge Blocks Parts of Trump Mail-Ballot Rule Ahead of Midterms

A federal judge appointed by former President Barack Obama has temporarily blocked parts of a new US Postal Service (USPS) rule governing the handling of mail-in ballots ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

US Postal Service mail trucks are seen as a federal court blocks portions of new election-mail requirements ahead of the 2026 midterms.

US District Judge Indira Talwani recently issued a 14-day temporary restraining order blocking USPS from implementing several provisions of the new rule for elections taking place through Nov. 3, including requirements involving ballot-envelope standards and other election-mail procedures. 

The USPS rule, issued after an executive order from President Donald Trump, would give the Postal Service a greater role in regulating the handling and processing of federal election mail.

The litigation centers on whether the federal government and USPS have the authority to impose the requirements and whether they could interfere with states' administration of elections.

Jason Snead, executive director of the Honest Election Project, accused Talwani of trying to “run out the clock,” arguing that continued litigation could prevent the rule from taking effect before states begin mailing ballots for the midterms.

“Because of the antics of the left in this case, it's very possible that we will not be able to get this rule put in place for the 2026 midterms,” Snead told Fox News Digital.

Talwani's order said the court was concerned about the risk of disenfranchisement and temporarily barred USPS from implementing specified portions of the rule.