Judge Blocks USPS Ballot-Mail Restrictions

Judge Emmet Sullivan blocked proposed USPS ballot-mail standards that could reject some federal ballots, citing a 2021 election-mail settlement.

1. Frame 1Judge Emmet Sullivan blocked a USPS ballot-mail rule before 2026 midterm ballots enter the mailstream.
2. Frame 2The rule would make states submit ballot-recipient lists and barcodes through a federal ballot-mail portal.
3. Frame 3USPS would reject outbound federal ballots that failed the list, barcode, or envelope checks.
4. Frame 4NAACP said the plan clashed with a 2021 settlement requiring timely election-mail handling through 2028.
5. Frame 5Sullivan ruled the proposed standards would violate that settlement and granted NAACP's enforcement motion.
6. Frame 6The comment period ends July 2; election offices still face ballot-mail planning before November 3.