Kathmandu— New restrictions on the handling of mail-in ballots by the United States Postal Service went into effect Thursday, as states prepare to send out millions of ballots for the November 3rd midterm elections. The changes, backed by President Donald Trump, will require the agency to compile lists of eligible voters based on state input and deliver ballots only to those individuals. While the US Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of these measures, legal challenges continue from multiple states.

Supreme Court Ruling Clears Path For Restrictions

On Monday, the US Supreme Court allowed the new procedures to move forward by ruling in favor of the Trump administration. The case stemmed from lawsuits filed by officials from dozens of states who argued that the Constitution grants states and Congress authority over elections, and that the presidential order could lead to chaos and partisan abuse. However, the court’s decision focused on procedural grounds – specifically, whether the states had sued too soon – and did not address the constitutionality of the order itself.

State Challenges Continue

Despite the Supreme Court ruling, challenges to the new rules persist. A fresh case was filed Wednesday in a federal court in Massachusetts by 24 state attorneys-general, who argue that the measures are unconstitutional and would cause “significant, imminent, and irreparable harm” to states by imposing “new and burdensome mail voting requirements” so close to the election. These officials maintain that the changes infringe upon states’ rights to manage their own elections.

Trump's Longstanding Concerns About Mail-In Voting

Voting by mail has been a frequent target of criticism from President Trump, who has repeatedly claimed it is prone to fraud despite evidence to the contrary and his personal use of the method. He has asserted that states have not adequately verified voter eligibility, specifically regarding US citizenship requirements. In March, Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to create lists of eligible voters and limit ballot delivery to those on the list.

Growing Popularity And Security Of Mail-In Voting

Voting by mail has become increasingly common among both Republican and Democratic voters, accounting for approximately 30 percent of ballots cast in the 2024 presidential election. Experts have consistently found mail-in voting to be secure; a 2025 study by the Brookings Institution revealed only about four cases of fraud per 10 million mail ballots cast.

The new Postal Service procedures are now in effect, but ongoing legal challenges could still alter their implementation before the November elections. The outcome of these challenges will determine the extent to which the restrictions impact mail-in voting access.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.