Michigan's mail-ballot system will remain intact for the Nov. 3 midterm elections after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld an injunction halting a new postal rule on absentee voting.

The court on Monday, Sept. 14, left in place a preliminary injunction blocking a U.S. Postal Service rule that would have required states to enroll every eligible mail voter with USPS, ClickOnDetroit reported. Under the rule, USPS would have compiled its own voter lists and refused to deliver ballots to anyone not on them. New envelope design requirements would have applied as well.

The ruling matters locally. In Northville Township's Aug. 4 primary, 6,549 of 10,687 votes cast were absentee ballots, according to official township results. That is roughly 61% of all ballots. Had the USPS rule taken effect, those voters' ballots might not have been delivered.

The USPS rule, issued Aug. 26 under a March executive order, took effect immediately, just 69 days before Election Day. Michigan and 24 other states sued within hours.

A federal district court issued a temporary restraining order the next day, then a preliminary injunction on Sept. 4 blocking the rule for the 2026 election cycle. The Supreme Court's order keeps that injunction in place.

Attorney General Dana Nessel said the ruling protects Michigan voters from interference in state-run elections.

"With Michigan ballots being mailed out in days, I am profoundly relieved that the Supreme Court has backed our voters, our clerks and the Constitution against the Trump administration's manufactured chaos and confusion," Nessel said Monday, Sept. 14.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the ruling affirms that states, not the federal government, run elections. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said Michigan has tools in place for voters to track their ballots and ensure their votes are counted.

Michigan voters approved no-reason absentee voting through a 2018 constitutional amendment. In the 2024 general election, 2,232,721 Michiganders voted by mail, accounting for 39% of all votes cast, according to state officials.

Absentee ballots for the Nov. 3 election will be available to voters starting Sept. 24, according to a ClickOnDetroit election guide. Oct. 19 is the last day to register to vote by mail or online.

Voters in the City of Northville, Novi and Novi Township can cast early in-person ballots at the Novi Civic Center, 45175 Ten Mile Road, from Oct. 24 through Nov. 1, according to the City of Novi's elections page. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, except Oct. 29, when hours shift to noon to 8 p.m.

Polls on Election Day, Nov. 3, open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.