A federal appeals court based in Boston has refused to allow key provisions of President Donald Trump’s executive order tightening mail-in voting rules to take effect before the upcoming November congressional elections in the United States. On Saturday, the First US Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Trump administration’s request by a 2-1 vote, leaving a lower-court injunction in place.

The US Justice Department had asked for the injunction to be temporarily lifted while litigation continued, arguing that relevant federal agencies had not yet finalized implementation policies and that the lawsuit was premature. The appeals court rejected that argument, saying states must prepare now as the September and November elections approach and face deadlines requiring coordination with federal authorities.

US District Judge Indira Talwani issued the injunction on June 25, finding that several parts of Trump’s March order likely exceeded presidential constitutional authority and interfered with state and congressional powers over elections. Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia brought the case. The blocked provisions will remain suspended in those states through the November congressional election, though the administration may seek emergency relief from the US Supreme Court.