North Carolina began mailing mail ballots to over 46,000 voters on Friday, becoming the first state to implement its standard vote-by-mail program as the Trump administration escalates efforts to restrict mail voting. A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Postal Service rule requiring states to hand over voter data and use specific ballot envelope designs for bar code scanning, which could withhold mail delivery in non-compliant states. The administration requested Supreme Court intervention, arguing the rule addresses noncitizen voting fraud, though evidence is lacking.

With the election nine weeks away, states like North Carolina and Wisconsin argue the changes are too late and disruptive. The rule stems from an executive order by Donald Trump, who has promoted unsubstantiated fraud claims despite voting by mail himself. Election officials warn the rule could disenfranchise voters, with a Massachusetts judge calling it potentially harmful.

Nineteen other states are also set to mail ballots by Sept. 19.