The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Sept. 16, 2026
Written & Produced by:
September 15, 2026 12:15 pmWASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7 to 2 September 14th to uphold a lower court, and stop implementation of restrictive new U.S. Postal Service mail-in ballot rules. But three justices signaled a reconsideration in the coming months.
The court’s refusal reads, “The application for stay presented to JUSTICE JACKSON and by her referred to the Court is denied. The Government is unlikely to succeed on the merits of its challenge to the District Court’s preliminary injunction. And the equitable factors applicable for obtaining emergency relief from this Court do not favor a stay,” UNQUOTE. Justice Kavanaugh concurred; Alito and Thomas dissented.
The lower court’s decision blocked the dysfunctional USPS state voter citizenship list portal and redesign of ballot envelopes. State election officials and a USPS whistleblower had warned that a lack of time and rushed software development could disenfranchise millions of voters, to which the court referred as “equitable factors.”
For the midterms, voters should be able to vote by mail as usual, with the Postal Service merely delivering the mail, not verifying citizenship for every mail-in voter receiving or sending a ballot.
However, in Kavanaugh’s concurrence and Alito and Thomas’ dissent, it was suggested USPS might have the authority to make such rules, inviting another challenge in the coming months. We’ve posted the decision at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
The White House – ENSURING CITIZENSHIP VERIFICATION AND INTEGRITY IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS
U.S. Postal Service – USPS Final Rule on Ballot Mail for Federal Elections
U.S. Supreme Court – UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, ET AL. v. CALIFORNIA, ET AL. ON APPLICATION FOR STAY
U.S. Supreme Court – USPS v. California Docket
SCOTUSBlog – Supreme Court denies Trump administration’s request to implement parts of rule on mail-in voting
League of Women Voters US – US Supreme Court Blocks Postal Service From Restricting Mail Ballots
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – Largely Blocked by Lower Courts, Administration Asks SCOTUS to Allow Executive Order Directing USPS to Verify Citizenship of Mail-In Voters
Groups Taking Action:
League of Women Voters, Campaign Legal Center, Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky Social, and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Subscribe for FREE at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting platforms.
Are you a radio station? Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX
#News #DemocracyNews #USSupremeCourt #MailInVoting #USPS #VotingRights