Good News: Courts Block Trump's Attempt to Restrict Mail-In Voting — For Now
Ballots are already in the mail. A federal judge just made sure they stay that way.
On September 4, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani extended her block on a Trump administration order directing the U.S. Postal Service to impose new restrictions on mail-in voting ahead of the 2026 midterms. Her reasoning was simple: states like North Carolina are already distributing ballots, and changing the rules this late would disenfranchise voters who did nothing wrong except plan ahead. Not a single state agreed to adopt the administration's new system voluntarily.
The fight isn't over. The administration has appealed to the 1st Circuit and is separately pushing the Supreme Court to intervene. But for now, the courts are holding the line — and every day mail ballots go out under the existing rules is a day voters can trust the process they're relying on.
California's SB 1164 and SB 1360 — together known as the California Voting Rights Act of 2026 — cleared both chambers of the legislature in August after passing the Senate back in May, and now sit on Governor Newsom's desk awaiting his signature. The bills strengthen protections against voter discrimination and expand required in-language voting materials for residents with limited English proficiency.
Two different fights, same lesson: ballot access doesn't defend itself. It takes judges willing to rule on the merits and lawmakers willing to write stronger protections into law. That's not guaranteed. It's chosen, case by case, bill by bill. Leading Ladies Vote is watching both fights, and we'll keep you posted.
Read more and share the win:
Judge extends block on Trump's mail-in ballot limits — PBS News
CA Senate Passes Landmark State Voting Rights Legislation — League of Women Voters of California