DOJ cites Utah ballot-dumping indictment to defend blocked USPS mail voting rule
Acting deputy AG Trent McCotter used a former postal worker's indictment to attack judges who halted Trump's ballot-tracking regulation.
What to know
- DOJ used the indictment of a former Utah postal worker to defend a USPS ballot-tracking rule that two federal courts have blocked.
- It is unclear how the proposed rule would have prevented the alleged conduct, since the ballots had already entered the postal system before being discarded.
- The Supreme Court declined to intervene against the Massachusetts injunction, with a majority signaling the administration is likely to lose on the merits.
- McCotter used the press conference to push additional restrictive voting measures, including state photo ID requirements.
R. Trent McCotter Acting Deputy Attorney General
Donald Trump PresidentU.S. Postal Service Federal agencyFormer Utah postal worker Criminal defendant
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage postscomments
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Online commenters mock DOJ's framing of the case
Social media reaction criticized the DOJ for using a case of ballot mishandling to argue for policies commenters say would make ballot loss easier, not harder.
“Your honor, a postal service employee discarded hundreds of ballots. We're not even mad, that's impressive. We'd like to give them more opportunities to lose mail ballots. -- Trump DOJ…”
— u/beren0073 -
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DOJ used the indictment of a former Utah postal worker accused of throwing away hundreds of mail ballots to attack court rulings blocking Trump’s anti-mail voting efforts and promote a broader slate of restrictive voting policies.
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"Your honor, a postal service employee discarded hundreds of ballots. We're not even mad, that's impressive. We'd like to give them more opportunities to lose mail ballots." -- Trump DOJ
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NEW: The DOJ used the indictment of a former Utah postal worker accused of throwing away hundreds of mail ballots to attack court rulings blocking Trump's anti-mail voting efforts and promote a broader slate of restrictive voting policies.
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background
DOJ announces indictment, McCotter attacks court rulings at press conference — Acting Deputy Attorney General R. Trent McCotter announced the indictment of the former Utah postal worker and used the occasion to defend the blocked USPS rule, criticize the Massachusetts judge, and push for stricter state voting requirements, including photo ID rules.
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background
D.C. judge separately halts USPS from enforcing the entire rule — A federal judge in Washington, D.C. also blocked USPS from implementing or enforcing the rule, finding the Postal Service likely exceeded the authority Congress granted it.
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Massachusetts judge blocks the USPS ballot rule, Supreme Court declines to intervene — A federal judge in Massachusetts halted the rule before it was even issued, then issued a further injunction after an initial reversal; the Supreme Court later declined to step in, with a majority of justices signaling the administration would likely lose on the merits.
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background
USPS issues ballot-tracking and redesign rule under Trump's election order — Acting on Trump's March election executive order, USPS issued a rule requiring redesigned ballot envelopes, voter-specific Intelligent Mail barcodes, design submissions for USPS review, and uploads to a new federal ballot-mail portal; ballots failing verification could be rejected.
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Utah postal worker allegedly dumps hundreds of mail ballots — Federal prosecutors allege a former USPS employee discarded more than 300 ballots meant for delivery ahead of Utah's June primary, dumping them in a parking-lot dumpster; some voters said they never received their ballots.