OLYMPIA, Wash. — With the midterm election approaching, the future of mail-in voting remains tied up in court, but a recent ruling means Washington state’s voting process will stay the same for November.
In March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to restrict mail-in voting, setting off an ongoing legal battle.
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Most recently, the U.S. Postal Service posted new rules for mail-in voting to comply with the executive order. The rules would have required changes including a new envelope with a barcode for mail-in ballots.
Washington state, along with 25 other states, filed a lawsuit arguing the changes the USPS was demanding would be too difficult to achieve before the upcoming election.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani extended her initial preliminary injunction, temporarily pausing enforcement of the new rules while the case is sorted out.
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said the midterm election in Washington will be safe, secure, and accessible.
Ballots for the midterm election will start being mailed out Oct. 16.