USPS Scores Big Win, As Fed Appeals Court Stays Order on Vote by Mail Ballots

In a new ruling that could have big implications on the midterm elections, a federal appeals court has stayed a lower court's order on vote by mail ballots delivered by the USPS (United States Postal Service). 

🚨 The D.C. Circuit has temporarily allowed the U.S. Postal Service to move forward with its proposed election-mail rule requiring states to submit voter lists and serialized ballot barcodes before USPS will mail federal ballots, staying a district judge's order. pic.twitter.com/MRfGcBWa8S

— SCOTUS Wire (@scotus_wire) July 17, 2026

The decision was issued Friday by the D.C. District Court of Appeals:

The DC Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday temporarily allowed the US Postal Service to move forward with a proposed election-mail rule requiring states to provide voter lists and serialized ballot barcodes before federal ballots are mailed — a move supporters say will strengthen election safeguards.

For California, where nearly all voters receive ballots by mail, the decision could mark a major turning point in the ongoing battle over election confidence following repeated complaints about slow vote counts and unproven allegations of widespread fraud.

...

The appeals court’s order does not resolve the underlying lawsuit but temporarily allows the Postal Service to move forward with the proposal while the case is reviewed.

The lawsuit that underpins Friday's ruling was filed by the NAACP against the USPS and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. And the judicial panel of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said it will temporarily allow the rule:

In its two-page order, the three-judge panel concluded the Postal Service met the legal standard for a stay pending appeal, clearing the way for the proposed election-mail rule to proceed as the litigation moves forward.

RedState previously wrote about the proposed rule, which was championed by President Trump, with Democrats quickly promising to try to block it in the courts. 

READ MORE: Obama-Appointed Activist Judge Talwani Thwarts Trump’s Mail-In Ballot Crackdown

Trump Pushes USPS Mail Ballot Verification Plan - Dems Immediately Threaten Lawsuits

First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli, called the order  "a win for election integrity":

This ruling is a win for election integrity and would have significant implications for states like California that refuse to submit their voter rolls to verify compliance with federal election laws. https://t.co/6p60ZKlYu1

— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) July 18, 2026

As noted above, this isn't the final word, as the appeals court continues to review the legal niceties involved in the lawsuit.

As this is a developing story, RedState will provide updates as warranted.

Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.

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