A federal judge has extended a block preventing the U.S. Postal Service from implementing key parts of President Donald Trump’s new rules targeting mail-in voting in the 2026 midterm elections, creating another legal setback for the administration as states begin sending absentee ballots.

Court Blocks USPS Changes

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston issued a preliminary injunction Friday, replacing an earlier temporary order that had blocked the Postal Service’s plans until September 10. The ruling prevents USPS from enforcing mandatory changes involving ballot-envelope designs and other requirements.

The Trump administration has argued that the new system is necessary to strengthen election procedures. Critics and election officials, however, have warned that implementing major changes so close to the election could create confusion and potentially prevent eligible ballots from being processed.

Judge Talwani said the Postal Service’s plan could make voter disenfranchisement more likely, while election officials have raised concerns about having insufficient time to comply with the new requirements.

Supreme Court Battle Intensifies

The legal dispute is now heading back toward the U.S. Supreme Court. The Trump administration has asked the high court to clear the way for the rules after lower-court restrictions blocked their implementation.

The timing is particularly significant because North Carolina became the first state to begin sending mail-in ballots for the November midterm elections on Friday. Other states are expected to follow in the coming weeks.

The continuing court battle means election officials and voters could face uncertainty over federal mail-ballot requirements as the 2026 midterm campaign enters a critical stage.

The dispute could become one of the major election-law battles of the 2026 U.S. midterms, with the Supreme Court potentially determining whether the administration can proceed with its proposed USPS changes.