Trump Mail-In Voting Executive Order Challenge (NAACP)

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

Background

The NAACP, Common Cause, Black Voters Matter, and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order attacking access to mail-in voting. Plaintiffs assert that the order is an “illegal power grab seeking to control federal elections” and a clear violation of states’ sovereignty over elections. They argue that the order’s demands for voter databases and lists seek to circumvent pending federal litigation over voter information. They also claim the provision requiring additional voter lists to determine who is eligible for mail-in ballot access usurps state authority. Plaintiffs say the order violates the U.S. Constitution and federal privacy and administrative laws. The organizations are asking the court to block the 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. 9, 2026: A new judge has been assigned. The judge consolidated this case with DSCC and LULAC’s cases, and has set a briefing schedule for plaintiffs’ forthcoming motions for preliminary injunction. Future updates can be found on the DSCC’s case page.
• Apr. 8, 2026: The case will be reassigned to a new judge.
• Apr. 3, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their complaint and a notice with the court that this case shares “common issues of fact” with previous cases challenging Trump’s first executive order on voting last year.

Last updated: April 9, 2026 4:40 pm EST