The Trump administration filed another appeal to the Supreme Court asking for permission to restrict mail-in ballots. A U.S. District Court judge had extended an order blocking the Postal Service from enforcing an executive order affecting November elections. Nothing says "we've got this under control" like begging nine people in robes to overrule a lower court for the second time on the same issue.
The Postal Service finds itself in the middle of a legal fight about whether it can enforce rules about the things it delivers. This is like asking FedEx if it's allowed to have opinions about what's in the boxes. The executive branch issued an order. A judge said no. Now we're asking different judges. Democracy functions like a game of hot potato played with stamped envelopes.
Retail traders will undoubtedly find a way to make this about their Tesla calls. "Ballot restrictions are bullish for logistics stocks," they'll say, typing furiously into Discord at 3 a.m. They'll create a watchlist of envelope manufacturers. They'll draw triangles on charts of stamp prices. One guy will post a due diligence thread arguing that voter suppression creates arbitrage opportunities in swing state municipal bonds. He'll have 47 typos and end it with rocket emojis.
The November elections are still months away, which means we get to watch this exact same headline cycle through appeals and counter-appeals until everyone involved dies of old age or boredom. The Supreme Court will either take the case or decline it. Either way, the Postal Service will continue delivering credit card offers you didn't ask for with perfect efficiency while struggling with everything else.
Your mail-in ballot will arrive late regardless of which way the Court rules.
Photo by Fine Photographics on Unsplash
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