US Supreme Court rejects Trump's bid to restrict mail-in voting for midterms

The US Supreme Court has turned down President Donald Trump's attempt to impose restrictions on mail-in voting for the midterm elections, delivering its ruling as balloting was already under way.

The decision means states will maintain their existing procedures for distributing mail ballots, continuing processes that have been in place for years. The Trump administration had urged the court to approve the restrictions ahead of the November contests, which will determine control of Congress.

Split bench on late challenge

The court's brief order drew public dissent from two justices. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas registered their disagreement with the majority decision.

The legal challenge arrived as a last-minute intervention, with the Supreme Court once again finding itself at the centre of a political controversy during a pivotal election cycle.

Stakes for national voting

The case carries significant weight because nearly one-third of American voters cast their ballots by mail. The rejected restrictions would have altered voting access for millions ahead of the midterm elections.

Source: South China Morning Post