US federal appeals court rules US President Donald Trump cannot implement mail-in voting order

A federal appeals court blocked Trump's executive order tightening mail-in voting rules in 23 states, upholding a lower court's ruling that key parts were unconstitutional. The 2-1 decision rejected the administration's request to lift an injunction, citing states' need to prepare for November elections. The Justice Department may appeal to the Supreme Court.

A federal appeals court on Saturday declined to allow the Trump administration to implement an executive order tightening mail-in voting rules in 23 states ahead of November elections. The Boston-based 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the administration's request to lift an injunction secured by Democratic-led states on June 25. The lower court judge concluded key parts of the order were unconstitutional. The appeals court, in a 2-1 ruling, said states had no choice but to respond now. The Justice Department may ask the Supreme Court to intervene. Trump signed the order in March, pushing false claims of voter fraud in 2020. The order directed DHS to compile citizenship lists and required USPS to only deliver ballots to approved voters. The lower court judge said Trump lacked authority to direct DHS or USPS and could not intimidate local election officials.