OLYMPIA — A federal court has granted a temporary restraining order preventing the U.S. Postal Service’s final rule on ballot mail from being implemented for the Nov. 3 General Election. Washington joined a coalition of 25 states in filing a lawsuit requesting the order on Wednesday.
“Today’s decision provides important relief for Washington voters and election officials,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said. “Every eligible voter has the right to cast a ballot, including by mail. These new federal requirements are an unnecessary distraction from the work election officials need to be doing right now: administering a secure and accessible election.”
The final rule would have imposed significant new requirements on county elections offices and the Office of the Secretary of State less than 90 days before Election Day, with military and overseas ballots required to be mailed by Sept. 19 and ballots to all other voters beginning to be mailed in just six weeks. In granting the temporary restraining order, the federal court held that the USPS rule violates the Constitution and that USPS lacks any authority under federal law to regulate elections.
At this time, there is no change to Washington’s election processes. Voters can find up-to-date election information on the Elections webpage.
“I will continue fighting this administration’s efforts to dismantle vote-by-mail elections and disenfranchise voters,” Secretary Hobbs said. “Elections are the lynchpin of our democracy, and my office remains dedicated to ensuring every voter can participate and make their voice heard.”