Democratic-led states sue to block Trump administration's mail-ballot rule
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About two dozen Democratic-controlled states have filed a new lawsuit against the U.S. Postal Service to stop a rule tied to President Trump’s executive order that would restrict mail voting ahead of the midterm elections.
Around 24 states led by Democratic attorneys general filed a fresh lawsuit on Wednesday challenging a rule issued by the U.S. Postal Service that implements President Donald Trump’s executive order to limit mail-in voting for this year’s midterm elections. The filing comes after the Supreme Court declined to block a separate Democratic lawsuit, and it seeks to prevent the Postal Service from requiring federal approval of ballot-envelope designs and voter lists before the first wave of mail ballots is dispatched next week.
"Across the country, states are already deep into preparations for the 2026 elections. Now, at the last moment, the federal government is attempting to meddle in those preparations and potentially threaten countless Americans’ right to vote," said New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of the plaintiffs.
The Trump administration’s order remains blocked by an earlier injunction, and officials argue that the new Postal Service rule violates that court order. White House spokesperson Lauren Bis described the Postal Service proposals as "commonsense measures that protect the security of mail-in ballots" and said the administration will continue to work on their implementation. The Postal Service declined to comment because of the pending litigation.
Judge Indira Talwani, who previously issued an injunction against the executive order, noted that the Postal Service’s actions appear to conflict with that order, though she has not taken further action. The lawsuit adds to ongoing legal battles over mail voting, a practice the Trump administration has repeatedly sought to restrict.