Connecticut Attorney General William Tong led a coalition of twenty‑two Democratic‑controlled states in filing a fresh lawsuit on Wednesday to stop the Trump administration’s recent rule that would tighten mail‑ballot delivery by the U.S. Postal Service. The suit follows a recent Supreme Court decision that rejected a prior challenge, but it does not declare the President’s order legal.
Legal background and recent court actions
The Supreme Court’s majority opinion earlier this week said the earlier Democratic lawsuit was premature. That ruling came before the administration issued a new regulation governing how the Postal Service must handle mail ballots. Election officials warn the rule could be impossible to implement before the first wave of mail ballots is mailed out next week.
Attorney General Tong said, “Once again, President Trump is breaking the law to try to micromanage who gets to vote, and how we cast our ballots. This time, he’s ordering the United States Postal Service to do his dirty work.” He added that the Constitution forbids the President from commandeering elections to manipulate voting procedures.
Details of the new rule
The administration’s rule requires states that want their mail ballots delivered to obtain federal approval of envelope designs and to provide the Postal Service with a list of voters eligible to receive them. The rule was published on Friday night, after earlier challenges were filed.
National Democrats cited the rule in a request to a federal judge in Washington, D.C., to block the order, arguing the administration had not taken concrete action when the original order was issued last spring. In Boston, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani found that the administration’s move forward with the mail‑ballot rule violated a separate injunction she placed on the Postal Service, though she took no further action against the government.
Trump’s long‑standing stance on mail voting
President Trump has repeatedly targeted mail voting, blaming it for his 2020 election loss and asserting that it is disproportionately used by Democrats. Since taking office, he has issued executive orders aimed at tightening election procedures, including a proposal to require documentary proof of citizenship for voters. He is also promoting a sweeping election bill that remains stalled in the Senate amid opposition from Democrats and some Republicans.
The administration argues that the current injunction barring the executive order should be lifted in light of the Supreme Court’s recent decision. However, the new lawsuit seeks to keep the order blocked while the rule’s legality is examined.
Implications for upcoming midterms
If the rule were to take effect, states would face new administrative hurdles just weeks before the midterm election’s mail‑ballot deadline. Critics say this could suppress voter participation, particularly among groups that rely on mail voting. Supporters of the administration argue the changes are needed to ensure election integrity.
The litigation is expected to proceed on multiple fronts, with the coalition of states prepared to defend what they describe as constitutional voting rights. The outcome could shape how mail voting is conducted nationwide in the 2026 midterm elections.
Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.
