Trump Mail-In Voting Executive Order Challenge (LWVMA)

A pro-voting lawsuit challenging Trump’s executive order attacking mail-in voting.

Background

The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, along with other domestic and overseas civic voting organizations, filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order attacking access to mail-in voting. Plaintiffs argue that the order implements wide-ranging election procedure changes across the country in “an extraordinary and abusive assertion of executive power.” Specifically, plaintiffs claim the order “directs federal agencies to develop unreliable federal citizenship-verification mechanisms and transmit such information to the states,” and directs the U.S. Postal Service to amass a list of “approved mail voters” and deem any mail-in ballots ineligible for delivery if the voter is not on the list. The lawsuit asserts that the order violates constitutional principles, including the separation of powers, federalism and the right to vote; exceeds the scope of the President’s authority; and violates federal voting, privacy and administrative laws. Plaintiffs seek to block the executive order.

Why It Matters

This is Trump’s second executive order attempting to take control of federal elections and disenfranchise voters. Courts have consistently ruled that only Congress and the states – not the president – have authority over elections. Despite this, Trump has expressed repeated opposition to mail-in voting, saying at the order signing, “Cheating on mail-in voting is legendary. It’s horrible. Democrats want to use it for cheating.” 

Latest Updates:

• Apr. 16, 2026: The DOJ seeks to transfer the case to the D.C. district court.
• Apr. 2, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their complaint.