On Friday, July 18, 2026, a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., issued a temporary victory for the Trump administration in its effort to increase federal oversight of elections, specifically regarding mail-in voting regulations.

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put on hold a lower court ruling that had blocked a U.S. Postal Service policy aimed at compelling states to provide lists of approved voters and imposing stricter regulations on mail-in ballots. This move temporarily lifts the injunction against the proposed rule, although the Trump administration has not yet received full approval to implement it.

Last month, a judge in Massachusetts blocked the policy, and that injunction remains in effect.

Postmaster General David Steiner testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee that under the proposed rule, the Postal Service would refuse to deliver mail-in ballots in states that do not submit their voter lists to the federal government.

In its ruling, the appeals court stated the Trump administration is likely to succeed in the case because the lawsuit was premature—the rule is not yet finalized—and it is not covered by a 2021 settlement between the NAACP and the Postal Service. The court also noted that the administration demonstrated it would suffer irreparable harm if the Postal Service cannot finalize and implement the rule before the upcoming midterm elections.

Department of Elections workers were seen sorting mail-in ballots for the California primary election at San Francisco's City Hall on June 2, 2026, illustrating ongoing mail-in voting processes amid the legal dispute.

The appeals court emphasized the importance of prioritizing the timely delivery of election mail, noting, "In this context, 'there can be no do over' once the election occurs."

Sources