Trump asks Supreme Court to allow mail-voting restrictions after appeals court block

The Justice Department filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court on Monday, seeking approval for President Donald Trump's executive order imposing new restrictions on voting by mail. The request follows a 2-1 ruling by the First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Saturday that blocked key parts of the March directive, which ordered federal agencies to create voter eligibility lists and restrict USPS delivery of ballots not tied to those lists. More than 20 Democratic attorneys general had challenged the order as unconstitutional and potentially disenfranchising. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued the lower court's ruling was 'indefensible' and prevented the federal government from promoting election integrity. The appeals court judges said the order would 'sow confusion' and 'threaten disenfranchisement.' Legal experts note the Constitution gives election power to states and Congress, not the president, and independent research has found no evidence of rampant mail-ballot fraud. The Supreme Court has previously shown skepticism of such restrictions. Democratic states have until August 3 to respond, with a decision expected soon after.