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U.S. Supreme Court lifts injunction on 2026 mail voting

8/28/2026

29 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Supreme Court lifted a prior injunction, allowing the mail-in voting rule to proceed.
Judge Indira Talwani had blocked the rule for two weeks.
Twenty-three Democratic states and D.C. sued, saying the rule likely violates the Constitution.
First 2026 midterm mail ballots will be mailed starting Sept. 4, giving states little compliance time.

History

Historical Context

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act on August 6 1965, forcing 38 Southern jurisdictions to obtain Department of Justice preclearance; by 1975 the DOJ had approved more than 1,200 voting changes. After the Supreme Court crippled preclearance in Shelby County v. Holder (2013), the Court this year lifted Judge Indira Talwani’s injunction, allowing the contested ballot rule to stand for the 2026 midterms.

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Story summary

U.S. Supreme Court lifted a prior injunction, allowing the mail-in voting rule to proceed.
Judge Indira Talwani had blocked the rule for two weeks.
Twenty-three Democratic states and D.C. sued, saying the rule likely violates the Constitution.
First 2026 midterm mail ballots will be mailed starting Sept. 4, giving states little compliance time.

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