Story perspectives

Supreme Court Blocks Trump Mail-Ballot Restrictions

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 2:06 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Supreme Court blocked President Donald Trump’s mail-ballot restrictions, keeping existing voting procedures.
Justice Samuel Alito and Justice Clarence Thomas dissented while Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote a concurring opinion.
Alabama, North Carolina and Wisconsin had already mailed ballots before the rule could take effect.
Democratic-led states and voting-rights groups said the rule would infringe state authority and cause disenfranchisement.

History

Historical Context

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act on Aug 6 1965, creating a Section 5 preclearance system that applied to 13 Southern jurisdictions. The 2013 Shelby County v. Holder decision nullified that coverage, prompting states such as Alabama to tighten rules. In 2022, Chief Justice Roberts wrote the majority opinion blocking a Trump-backed mail-ballot restriction, preserving the procedures in Alabama, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

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Story summary

The U.S. Supreme Court blocked President Donald Trump’s mail-ballot restrictions, keeping existing voting procedures.
Justice Samuel Alito and Justice Clarence Thomas dissented while Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote a concurring opinion.
Alabama, North Carolina and Wisconsin had already mailed ballots before the rule could take effect.
Democratic-led states and voting-rights groups said the rule would infringe state authority and cause disenfranchisement.

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