The Executive Order To Restrict Vote By Mail

Key Points:

• Despite President Trump’s personal use of mail-in voting, he strongly opposes the practice for the general public and has launched efforts, including a 2026 executive order, to restrict mail voting by shifting control from states to the federal government.
• The executive order mandates the creation of citizenship verification lists and directs the USPS to refuse mail ballots not on these lists, which critics argue is unprecedented voter suppression and unconstitutional interference with state election authority.
• Multiple lawsuits challenge the executive order, with courts in Massachusetts allowing some claims to proceed for the 2026 midterms, while courts in D.C. have held claims are not yet ripe for review; ongoing litigation will influence how mail voting is conducted.
• Experts warn that if implemented, the order could disenfranchise many voters who rely on mail ballots, impose costly new burdens on states, sow confusion, and undermine trust in elections ahead of the midterms.
• Election protection groups and officials are mobilizing to defend voting rights and election integrity, urging voters to plan ahead, participate actively in the electoral process, and stand against voter suppression efforts.