Story perspectives

Judge Talwani Issues Third Block on Trump Mail Voting Rule

By Drooid · Sep 12, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued a third block on the mail-in voting rule on Friday.
President Donald Trump’s order would have limited U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail-in ballots to states that submitted voter eligibility lists.
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Talwani’s earlier block while the Supreme Court reviews the case.
The Supreme Court overturned Talwani’s initial block on Aug. 24, finding she lacked authority.

History

Historical Context

The Help America Vote Act, authored by Senator Christopher Dodd and signed by President George W. Bush on October 29 2002, responded to the 2000 election crisis by creating the Election Assistance Commission and funding $3.9 billion of voting-equipment upgrades. Decades later, Judge Indira Talwani’s injunction against the Trump administration’s mail-in ballot list reflects HAVA’s enduring role in federal court oversight of election standards.

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Story summary

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued a third block on the mail-in voting rule on Friday.
President Donald Trump’s order would have limited U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail-in ballots to states that submitted voter eligibility lists.
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Talwani’s earlier block while the Supreme Court reviews the case.
The Supreme Court overturned Talwani’s initial block on Aug. 24, finding she lacked authority.

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