Federal Court Strikes Down Trump's 2026 Executive Order on Mail Voting

A federal court has ruled that key sections of an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump in March 2026 are unconstitutional and unlawful. The decision came after a lawsuit filed by 23 states and the District of Columbia, led by California, challenged the order's interference with voter rolls and mail-in ballots. Sections 2 and 3 of the executive order were declared void, preventing federal agencies from using it as justification to interfere with how these states manage their elections.

The court's ruling specifically bars the U.S. Postal Service from withholding mail ballots based on lists compiled by the Department of Homeland Security under Trump’s directive. This decision is seen as a significant victory for voting rights advocates who argue that such measures undermine the integrity and accessibility of democratic processes. The order had aimed to compile a list of all U.S. citizens, which critics argued was both impractical and unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, a separate legal challenge brought by nonpartisan voting rights groups is still pending in court. This case, initiated by organizations including the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), seeks to block additional provisions of Trump's executive order related to mail voting. The plaintiffs argue that the president overstepped his authority by attempting to control election administration through executive action.

In a joint statement, attorneys representing the voting rights groups emphasized the importance of upholding democratic norms and protecting free elections. They expressed hope that similar reasoning will lead to the dismissal of the remaining aspects of Trump's executive order, ensuring that upcoming primary and midterm elections proceed without interference from federal agencies in states' election management practices.