Trump administration renews Supreme Court bid to limit mail-in voting - Reuters

The Justice Department has filed a new petition with the United States Supreme Court seeking to overturn a 2020 regulation that expanded mail‑in voting options for voters. The petition asks the Court to strike down a rule that allowed states to send absentee ballots to voters without requiring a witness signature, arguing that the regulation exceeds the authority granted to the federal government and conflicts with the Constitution.

The request follows an earlier attempt by the Trump administration to have the Court review the same regulation, which was declined in a prior filing. By renewing the appeal, the administration hopes to secure a ruling that would limit the use of mail‑in ballots in upcoming elections. The petition emphasizes that the rule, put in place during the COVID‑19 pandemic, could affect the integrity of the electoral process.

If the Supreme Court grants the petition and ultimately rules against the mail‑in voting rule, the decision could have significant repercussions for the 2024 midterm elections, where a large share of the electorate is expected to vote by absentee ballot. State election officials would be required to revert to pre‑2020 procedures, potentially reinstating witness‑signature requirements and other restrictions that many jurisdictions had relaxed.

Legal experts note that the Court’s conservative majority may be more receptive to arguments presented by the administration, though the justices have not indicated how they will rule on the matter. The case adds to a series of legal challenges concerning voting procedures that have been mounted by the federal government since the 2020 election cycle.

The Department of Justice has not provided a timeline for when it expects the Court to act on the petition. In the meantime, election officials across the country are preparing for the possibility of altered absentee voting rules, while advocacy groups continue to monitor the litigation for its potential impact on voter access.