On Monday, the Supreme Court made it possible for some parts of President Trump’s order on mail-in voting to move ahead. This helps pave the way for possible more voting restrictions ahead of the midterm elections. Nevertheless, the justices did not determine whether the order itself is lawful; the states challenging the order did not have standing to bring that case. The ruling leaves a large degree of uncertainty about how much of the plan can really happen before voting starts in several states in weeks.
The March executive order instructs federal agencies to start compiling lists of eligible voters and calls for the US. Mail ballots will be only distributed to those individuals appearing in the list by the Postal Service. States controlled by Democrats and election officials said the measure went beyond the president’s power, arguing election administration rests mostly with the states and Congress. Critics say making such large procedural changes so close to the election will disrupt preparations and cause chaos for voters while supporters say the policy is aimed at bolstering election integrity.