Trump administration makes another appeal to Supreme Court to allow mail ballot restrictions
PBS News Hour – Politics — 2026-09-06 10:15:00 — www.pbs.org
Trump Administration Pushes Supreme Court to Reinstate Mail Ballot Restrictions Amid False Claims of Fraud
The Trump administration has renewed its push for the Supreme Court to allow new restrictions on mail ballots ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, citing President Donald Trump’s executive order. This marks the third time the administration has asked the high court to intervene, even as states begin mailing ballots and face tight deadlines to implement any changes.
Trump’s Ongoing Effort to Limit Mail Voting
President Trump has consistently sought to limit mail voting, despite frequently using mail ballots himself. He has repeatedly and falsely blamed mail-in voting for his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden, spreading baseless claims of widespread fraud. These assertions have been widely debunked, yet Trump continues to promote the narrative that mail balloting undermines election integrity.
Legal Battle Over New Restrictions
The administration’s latest filing argues that the injunction against Trump’s executive order is causing “confusion and chaos” as states prepare for the election. Solicitor General John Sauer, representing the administration, claims that allowing the injunction to remain makes compliance with the new rules voluntary instead of mandatory, which he says could disrupt the election process.
However, voting rights groups and Democratic-led states argue that the proposed changes are unconstitutional and impossible to implement on such short notice without disenfranchising voters who rely on mail ballots. The ACLU has called the Postal Service rule “unconstitutional and unlawful,” warning that enforcing it so close to the election would “rob eligible voters of their essential right to make their voices heard in our democracy.”
Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims
Trump’s claims about mail ballot fraud have been repeatedly proven false. Despite his efforts, he has not succeeded in altering the longstanding procedures for mail voting. Nearly one-third of U.S. voters cast mail ballots, and there is no credible evidence supporting Trump’s assertions that this method leads to widespread fraud.
Conclusion
As the Supreme Court considers the Trump administration’s request, the stakes remain high for this year’s elections. Trump’s persistent false claims about mail voting continue to fuel legal battles and public confusion, but so far, the courts have not endorsed his efforts to restrict access to mail ballots. The outcome of this legal fight will have significant implications for voter access and the integrity of the electoral process.