Citizenship voting group asks Supreme Court to save Michigan ballot bid

The Trump administration is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to suspend a federal judge’s order blocking new U.S. Postal Service requirements for handling mail-in ballots before the November 2026 midterm elections. The rules would require states to provide USPS with lists of mail-ballot voters and use specified barcodes on ballot envelopes, while allowing the agency to withhold ballots that do not meet the standards. Judge Indira Talwani ruled that the plan likely exceeds USPS authority, conflicts with states’ constitutional role in administering elections, and could cause widespread disenfranchisement because it was introduced less than 70 days before the election; the administration argues the measures are reasonable election-mail preparations that do not determine voter eligibility. Mail voting remains available under current state laws while appeals courts and the Supreme Court consider emergency requests. Separately, efforts to place a proposed Michigan constitutional amendment requiring proof of citizenship and photo identification on the November ballot failed after officials determined the petition fell three valid signatures short of the threshold. The U.S. Supreme Court and Michigan Supreme Court declined to provide relief, while supporters alleged problems with rejected signatures and access to records and opponents said the campaign failed to meet ballot-certification requirements.