The preliminary injunction issued by the Boston court extends a previous ban on the proposed rules from 23 to all 50 states. The judge also denied the US government the right to regulate elections. Trump had wanted to push through the changes before the November congressional elections.
The president justifies his move as a fight against alleged voter fraud. Critics, however, suspect the tightening is aimed at disadvantaging Democratic voters. In late March, Trump issued a decree requiring the US Postal Service (USPS) to deliver mail-in ballots only to individuals on a list compiled by the states.
The judge stressed that the status quo must be maintained for the election. Trump’s order sows confusion and threatens chaos. The lawsuit was filed by nonpartisan organizations seeking to boost voter turnout. The Justice Department has since filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court to push the changes through.
Source: www.tagesspiegel.de
