On Monday, the United States Supreme Court shot down the Trump Administration's attempt to upend the midterm elections by interfering with mail-in voting. Only Justices Thomas and Alito dissented, though Justice Kavanaugh indicated the Postal Service might have the authority to do so under its rule-making authority. Allowing it so close to the election would be arbitrary and capricious because state officials lacked time to implement it.
Trump issued the executive order based on his conclusion, without evidence, that mail-in voting (which he uses) was rife with fraud. The Administration is running scared because Trump's approval ratings have tanked. They apparently have decided that creating chaos is their best shot at maintaining a Republican Congress.
That Trump is not concerned about electoral fraud is shockingly apparent in a statement he made at his midterm "Convention," reported by columnist Jamelle Bouie:
"The single strangest moment in all of this was when Trump led the audience in a pledge to himself, which included a promise to cheat if necessary.
"Please raise your right hand. I pledge to the greatest president in the history of the United States. That loves us so much he can’t even breathe. That I will go out with my family, my friends, I’ll do it any way — I don’t care if I’m registered or not, I’m going to try to cheat like hell like they do. There’s never been bigger cheaters. They don’t care. I am going to go out and I’m going to get my friends, my family. And we are going to vote on Nov. 3, or we are going to vote before that."
Despite the Supreme Court ruling prohibiting Administration and U.S. Postal Service interference in the midterm elections, it is unlikely to stop. Recently, F.B.I. Director Kash Patel indicated in a Congressional hearing that he's ready to send his agents to polling places. Fortunately, those who care about election integrity are also organized and will continue monitoring and doing what is necessary to assure the midterms are as fair as possible.
In Oregon, where we all vote by mail, the Legislature appropriated additional money, some of which will be used to establish additional drop boxes so we can avoid use of the U.S. mail entirely.