Washington DC: The US Supreme Court on Monday said President Trump could begin carrying out parts of an executive order seeking to restrict mail voting, CBS News reported.
The 6-3 decision marked a victory for the Trump administration ahead of the November midterms. Shortly after the announcement, the US Postal Service and Justice Department said they would implement the revised mail-ballot restrictions following the ruling.
According to CBS News, the ruling allows the Department of Homeland Security to proceed with a proposal to create lists of residents in each state who are eligible to vote.
The political victory is significant for the Trump administration, which has advocated against the use of mail-in voting, arguing that it leaves the system vulnerable to tampering and voter fraud.
The White House called the decision “a major win for the security of American elections.”
Responding to the ruling, CBS News reported that White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said in a statement, “These are commonsense measures that protect the security of mail-in ballots and ensure only Americans are electing American leaders.”
“This Administration will continue to lawfully enact the agenda President Trump was elected on – which includes the safety and security of our elections,” Bis added.
The developments come as President Trump has continued to advocate for the proposed SAVE America Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act), which seeks to overhaul voter registration and election rules.
Earlier this month, Trump renewed his call for the passage of the SAVE America Act, citing India’s election system and voter identification requirements.
The White House said earlier this month that the proposed legislation would require voters to provide valid identification before registering to vote in a federal election, along with proof of citizenship.
It also proposes restrictions on mail-in ballots, allowing them only in cases involving illness, disability, military service or travel. The White House said the Act would direct states to remove non-citizens from voter rolls.
