Can you still vote by mail? What to know as Trump’s election fight reaches Supreme Court

North Carolina Begins Mail Ballot Distribution for Midterms Amid Ongoing Legal Challenges to Federal Election Rules

Statewide mail-in voting for the 2026 midterm elections starts Friday in North Carolina as litigation continues over an executive order issued by President Donald Trump that directs changes to voting procedures and Postal Service operations. The order includes requirements for updated voter lists, ballot tracking barcodes, and adjustments to mail handling.

North Carolina is the first state to begin broad distribution of mail ballots for the elections that will decide control of Congress. State and local election officials have stated that voting will move forward according to existing schedules while court cases proceed. The Supreme Court issued a procedural ruling last week that supported the administration’s position on one aspect of the litigation. The administration filed an appeal in another case to the high court on Thursday.

Election Officials Address Voter Questions

Election administrators have reported that coverage of the executive order and related lawsuits has prompted questions from voters about whether mail voting remains available. Michael Dickerson, director of the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections, said the primary effect has been increased inquiries about the status of the process. He stated that voters can continue to request and return mail ballots and described the method as secure under current state procedures.

In Wake County, staff have processed paper and online absentee ballot request forms daily, according to Olivia McCall, the county elections director. Workers have also coded ballots, performed accuracy tests, and prepared mailings that include ballots, instructions, and identification information. McCall said the first wave of ballots in the county will total approximately 5,000.

Dickerson noted that ballots from military and overseas voters, who may use an online portal, are expected to begin returning as early as Saturday. State Board of Elections officials, including executive director Karen Brinson Bell Hayes, have described operations as following standard procedures for the cycle, which includes a competitive U.S. Senate race.

Legal Challenges and Administration Actions

Democratic state officials, including North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, joined lawsuits challenging the executive order and proposed Postal Service modifications. Court filings from those offices argued that the timing of the changes creates risks of disruption to election administration. The State Board of Elections, which has a Republican majority, has submitted envelope designs to the Postal Service for review and received approval, while withholding voter data pending further court action.

A whistleblower statement submitted to Congress this week described the Postal Service portal as untested and raised concerns about potential errors that could affect ballot acceptance. The Postal Service has declined to comment on specific changes while litigation is active.

The League of Women Voters of North Carolina has advised voters to complete and return absentee ballots promptly rather than waiting until close to deadlines. Jennifer Rubin, the organization’s state president, recommended mailing or delivering ballots as soon as possible after receipt.

Postal Service Processing Changes and Other States

Election officials in multiple states have separately advised voters against delaying return of mail ballots due to operational shifts at the Postal Service. These shifts involve postmarking at regional hubs instead of local facilities. In California’s June primary, approximately 150,000 mail ballots were not counted, with late postmarks cited as the main reason. Wisconsin officials contacted the Postal Service after April local elections in which some ballots arrived after deadlines. Washington state reported a 32 percent increase in rejected primary ballots this August compared with the prior cycle, attributing the rise to postmark timing.

The Postal Service has stated that its postmarking rules have not changed but acknowledged that transportation adjustments can create differences between collection times and postmark dates. Voters may request hand-stamped postmarks at local post offices.

Alabama is scheduled to begin its mail ballot distribution on Sept. 9. Federal law requires all states to send ballots to military and overseas voters by mid-September.

Views on Timing of Changes

David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research and a former Department of Justice attorney, said the period for implementing major procedural changes for this election cycle has passed. His organization has filed materials supporting states opposing the new postal requirements. Don Millis, a Republican who chairs the Wisconsin Election Commission, said some local clerks had already advanced their mailing schedules in response to the uncertainty.

The executive order directs federal agencies to implement voter-list maintenance standards, barcode tracking on ballots, and Postal Service compliance measures. Administration statements have described the measures as intended to verify eligibility and improve tracking. Opponents in the litigation have argued that the requirements risk confusion and higher rejection rates if applied this cycle. The Supreme Court’s recent procedural ruling addressed one element of these disputes, while other aspects remain under review.