Trump signs executive order limiting mail-in ballots; California leaders say they'll fight

Los Angeles Times • March 31, 2026 • nation

Key Points:

President Trump signed an executive order imposing new federal controls on mail-in voting, claiming without evidence that mail ballots are prone to widespread fraud, particularly targeting states like California.
The order mandates the USPS to design new barcoded envelopes to ensure ballots are only sent to and returned by eligible voters, requiring states to submit voter lists to the USPS and other federal agencies for verification.
California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, condemned the order as an illegal power grab infringing on state election authority and vowed to challenge it in court.
Critics argue the order undermines a secure mail-in voting system relied on by millions, with election experts and officials dismissing claims of widespread fraud and warning that the order threatens election integrity.
Legal experts contend the president lacks authority to impose such federal controls on state-run elections, predicting the order will face and likely fail in legal challenges.

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