Mail-in Voting Furor Turning into Bizarre Soap Opera/Fantasy Football Game
Opinion
Rick Langenberg
Can President Donald Trump pull off a legal “Hail Mary” touchdown regarding his efforts to impose serious restrictions on mail-in voting and eventually axe this system altogether.
Or will the Supreme Court call his newly hurled pass clearly out of bounds, or ask for an extended timeout?
Or will Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser – the probable next governor of Colorado- pull out the penalty flag for nearly the 100th time, with the promise, “See You in Court, Mr. President, as We are Proceeding Full-Spead Ahead with Our Mail-in Ballot Election?
Meanwhile, millions of fans want to know the answer to a few basic questions: When will I get my ballot in the mail, and will I get to vote in the 2026 elections?
The mail-in vote furor is turning into a legal soap opera, bordering on a probable fantasy football game, with a different side battle almost every day. Hourly predictions are inevitable and the list of characters in this drama is endless.
On the upside, none of our elected officials are part of the character list, but the way this drama is unfolding that could change.
But unfortunately for Teller and Colorado residents, the legal gamesmanship involved is hitting this area with real concerns about the right to vote.
On the political spectrum, the outcome of the Nov. election has big consequences, such as which party will control the House and Senate. And based on some insider reports, the results (if not favorable for the White House) could determine whether the president gets impeached for the third time.
Now for a Few Facts
According to the latest reports, the Trump administration is refusing to back down in this battle (mainly due to time deadlines) to impose serious limits on the mail-in ballot system, prior to the midterms. The administration is boldly asking the Supreme court to squash the latest temporary moratorium, filed by a Boston federal judge, Indira Talwani, and allow a plan to move forward that would impose new restrictions on mail-in ballots, prior to the midterm election. Only one problem: These ballots are already being distributed in some states, and in Colorado, they are ready to hit the mailboxes shortly. Weiser says Colorado is proceeding with its status quo practice of mailing ballots to valid and eligible voters, despite the legal uncertainties.
Head clerk and recorders across the state, including Teller County’s Stephanie Kees, are also predicting that the status quo system will remain for now, but there are no guarantees.
The administration, in their latest appeal to the high court, sought to proceed with a plan to allow the U.S. Postal Service to implement a rule that only would send ballots to valid voters, with a list provided by the states. Of course, these names would be scrutinized by the feds, via the Department of Homeland Security. Under this rule, the USPS can refuse to deliver ballots that do not comply with the new standards, or to voters not included on the list.
This marks the second time Trump lawyers have filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court regarding this issue in the last few weeks. For the record, President Trump is breaking all kinds of records with requests for emergency decisions by the high court. This is highly unusual, but we have an unusual president.
Previously, the Supreme Court ruled to permit Trump’s original plan to proceed but did not rule on its constitutionality. They basically were ruling on earlier complaints made by a handful of states, such as Colorado, opposing Trump’s earlier executive order.
It gets really confusing with the flurry of lawsuits. Weiser has made it clear he is not shy about filing lawsuits against the administration. If current trends continue, the attorney general may reach the 100th mark in Trump-related legal challenges.
A lot is at stake for all the key players here. And more importantly, much is at stake for us, The voters.
For the Supreme Court, if they grant Trump’s latest request, then they may set the wheels in motion for their own possible mini-destruction. This could escalate a movement by those federal lawmakers seeking to increase the number of justices serving on the high court. Like it or not, this is a political card in play, especially if Dems do as well in the midterms as predicted. This increase in justices on the panel could counter the conservative sway of the high court, which has typically sided with Trump on most issues.
Plus, a positive verdict on Trump’s appeal could create much chaos and confusion. The system proposed by the Postal Service was classified by Judge Talwani as a risky experiment, with little assurance of success.
It is our hope that the Supreme Court, this time, will listen to reason and decide to call Trump’s Hail Mary attempt out of bounds or incomplete, or at the very least, ask for an extended timeout. The easy path for the court is not to take the case. But that solution is too simple for Justice John Roberts and company.
The one fact the high court appears to be overlooking these days is the impact their barrage of rulings has on little Teller County, and the thousands of similar counties across the country.
Mail-in ballots, when done correctly, like they have been doing in Colorado, promote voter participation and voter convenience.
Most voters, Republican, Democrat, Green Party, or whatever, just want to receive a ballot and get a chance to vote without the hassles that have inflicted many other non-mail voting states. If the mail-in system is gutted, then say hello to long lines and limited times to make your election choices.
This drama needs to head back to reality and focus on the upcoming election. The Nov. 3 election is not the time to make sweeping changes.
When residents do finally stare at their ballots (and hopefully they get that chance soon), they will be looking at 14 state ballot issues, and a slew of local propositions.
Welcome to Election 2026.
And if you don’t receive a ballot, then make sure your voice is heard. Tampering with the election process is a gamble we aren’t ready to accept.
