On Wednesday, roughly 24 Democratic‑led states filed a fresh lawsuit against the U.S. Postal Service, seeking to halt President Trump’s executive order that would limit mail voting in this year’s midterm elections. The states argue the order infringes on Americans’ right to vote and exceeds the Postal Service’s authority.
Legal backdrop
The filing comes just two days after the Supreme Court declined to intervene in a separate Democratic lawsuit, though the Court did not rule on the legality of Trump’s order itself. Earlier, a district court had placed an injunction on the order, and the administration is now urging that injunction be lifted.
Details of the administration’s rule
The Trump administration’s recent rule requires states to obtain federal approval for the design of mail‑ballot envelopes and to provide the Postal Service with a list of eligible voters before ballots can be delivered. White House spokesperson Lauren Bis described the measures as “commonsense steps that protect the security of mail‑in ballots” and said they aim to boost the safety and security of elections.
State officials’ response
New York Attorney General Letitia James, speaking for the coalition of attorneys general, warned that the federal government’s last‑minute action threatens the preparation for the 2026 elections and could jeopardize countless Americans’ ability to vote by mail. “USPS has no authority to decide who can and cannot vote by mail,” she said.
Judicial actions
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston previously found that the Postal Service’s implementation of the rule violated an injunction she placed on the agency, though she has not yet taken further action. The judge originally issued the injunction in a case brought by the League of Women Voters and other voting‑rights groups.
Broader context
President Trump has long criticized mail voting, claiming it contributed to his 2020 election loss—a claim that has been widely debunked. Since returning to office, his administration has pursued a series of election‑related executive orders, including proposals for documentary proof of citizenship for voters and a sweeping election reform bill currently stalled in the Senate.
The ongoing litigation underscores the deep partisan divide over election administration and the balance between election security and voter access.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
