The US Supreme Court has rejected President Donald Trump’s attempt to restrict mail-in voting ahead of the November midterm elections, according to DW. The decision leaves in place a lower court order blocking the proposed restrictions.
Trump had asked the Supreme Court to lift that order and allow his plan to proceed before the elections. The justices issued a brief order denying the request, meaning states can continue sending mail ballots under the procedures they have used for years.
In a concurring opinion, conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh said the proposal might ultimately be found legal. However, he wrote that state and local election officials did not have enough time to implement the rule reasonably before the November elections.
Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas publicly dissented from the decision. DW did not provide further details about the basis of their dissent in the supplied material.
The ruling has broad significance because nearly one-third of the country votes by mail, according to DW. It means the existing mail-ballot processes will remain in effect for the upcoming midterms while the legal dispute continues.