On Wednesday, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said the state has formally joined a coalition of 25 states filing a federal lawsuit against the United States Postal Service (USPS). The suit challenges a new USPS regulation that would restrict the delivery of mail‑in ballots to voters who appear on a list compiled by the agency at the direction of President Trump.
Background of the rule
President Trump signed an executive order on March 31 directing the USPS to create a national list of eligible voters and to deliver mail ballots only to those on the list. On August 21, the Postal Service issued a rule to implement that order, requiring the agency to compile state‑specific voter lists and to withhold ballots from anyone not on the list or whose envelope does not meet the new standards.
State’s legal challenge
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, asks a judge to strike down the rule as unlawful and to issue a temporary restraining order that would keep the regulation from taking effect while the case proceeds. The New Mexico Department of Justice argues the rule would “prevent states from effectively administering their mail voting programs, putting voters at risk of being disenfranchised.”
Attorney General Torrez warned that the rule could leave voters unaware they have been excluded until a ballot fails to arrive. He noted that the rule would be enforced just three weeks before ballots must be mailed to New Mexicans serving overseas in the military, creating a serious risk to their constitutional right to vote.
Who else is suing?
Joining New Mexico in the litigation are attorneys general from California, Massachusetts, Nevada, Washington and a dozen other states and the District of Columbia, including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
Constitutional and practical concerns
The coalition contends that the rule violates the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection and the federal Voting Rights Act by imposing a new, undisclosed barrier to ballot delivery. Access to the voter list will be limited to “individuals whose official duties require such access,” meaning a typical voter will have no way to verify whether they have been omitted.
Critics also point out that the rule could disrupt the established election framework that states have relied on for decades, forcing local election officials to scramble for new procedures just weeks before the November election.
What’s next?
The plaintiffs are seeking a swift court order to halt the rule’s implementation. If the court grants a temporary restraining order, the USPS would be required to continue delivering ballots under existing practices while the merits of the case are litigated.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have far‑reaching implications for mail‑in voting nationwide, especially for service members, overseas voters, and anyone who relies on the postal system to cast a ballot.
Local impact
For New Mexicans, the case underscores the importance of state vigilance in protecting voting rights. The Attorney General’s office has pledged to monitor the situation closely and to keep voters informed about any changes that could affect ballot delivery in the upcoming election cycle.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
