The Supreme Court has allowed some Trump-backed vote-by-mail limits to take effect ahead of the midterm election, lifting an injunction that had covered 23 states and Washington, D.C. The court's three liberal justices dissented.
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Key facts
- The Supreme Court issued an unsigned order allowing some vote-by-mail limits to proceed.
- The order lifted an injunction that had covered 23 states and Washington, D.C.
- The court's three liberal justices dissented.
- The decision comes ahead of the midterm election.
The Supreme Court has cleared the way for some Trump-backed limits on vote-by-mail to take effect ahead of the upcoming midterm election, according to CNBC. The court acted through an unsigned order rather than a full, signed opinion.
The order lifted an injunction that had previously blocked the measures across 23 states and Washington, D.C. With the injunction removed, the affected restrictions can now proceed in those jurisdictions.
The court’s three liberal justices dissented from the order, according to CNBC, signaling disagreement on the bench over the decision.
Because the ruling came as an unsigned order, it did not include a detailed majority explanation of the court’s reasoning. The action affects a significant portion of the country, covering nearly two dozen states plus the nation’s capital.
The timing places the decision directly ahead of the midterm election, a period when rules governing mail voting can influence how ballots are cast and counted. The specific scope of the limits allowed to take effect was addressed in the underlying dispute now cleared to proceed.
Why it matters
Rules on vote-by-mail directly affect how millions of Americans can cast their ballots, and changes taking effect just before a midterm election can shape the voting process in nearly two dozen states and Washington, D.C. A divided Supreme Court, with its three liberal justices dissenting, underscores the contested nature of the policy.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Supreme Court decide?
According to CNBC, the Supreme Court issued an unsigned order that lifted an injunction, allowing some Trump vote-by-mail limits to take effect ahead of the midterm election.
How many states are affected?
The lifted injunction had covered 23 states and Washington, D.C., according to CNBC.
Did any justices disagree?
Yes. The court's three liberal justices dissented from the order, according to CNBC.
Timeline
- US Supreme Court allows Trump’s mail voting restrictions to proceed
Al Jazeera: Mail balloting has long been a favourite target of US President Donald Trump.
- Supreme Court allows some Trump vote-by-mail limits ahead of midterm election
CNBC Top News: The unsigned order lifted an injunction covering 23 states and Washington, D.C.; the court’s three liberal justices dissented.