Laying the groundwork for an upcoming trial in a case seeking to expand the state's vote-by-mail procedures, a federal judge tossed out an effort by left-leaning groups to require county elections officials to pay for postage for mail-in ballots.

U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle held a status conference in preparation for a July 20 trial in the case, which is a consolidation of legal challenges focused largely on the state's mail-in ballot processes. The trial is expected to last at least 10 days and will come a little more than three months before the November elections.

In one of the lawsuits, the organization Priorities USA and other plaintiffs have urged the judge to extend a deadline for mail-in ballots to be returned and require free postage for the ballots. They're also challenging a provision in Florida law restricting paid workers from collecting mail-in ballots.