Trump DOJ Election Lawsuits
Legal challenges against Trump's election-related executive actions face repeated judicial rejections.
March 2026
Trump Signed Executive Order Restricting Mail-In Ballots
Donald Trump signed an executive order in March. This order restricted the use of mail-in ballots ahead of the November midterm elections.
Source ↗Trump signs executive order regarding mail-in ballot delivery
President Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to create federal lists of citizens. This order also directed the U.S. Postal Service to refuse delivery of mail-in ballots to individuals not present on those federal lists.
Source ↗President Trump issues executive order on federal election confidence
President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order. The court claimed the order was designed to maintain public confidence in federal elections.
Source ↗June 2026
Sixth Circuit affirms dismissal of DOJ Michigan lawsuit
A three-judge panel for the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court’s dismissal of the Department of Justice’s lawsuit in Michigan. Civil Rights Division chief Harmeet Dhillon subsequently requested a rehearing.
Source ↗July 2026
Judge D’Agostino Dismisses DOJ Voter Roll Lawsuit in New York
Judge Mae A. D’Agostino of the US District Court for the Northern District of New York dismissed the lawsuit. The court found the Justice Department failed to state a proper "basis" and "purpose" required by federal law.
Source ↗Court Rules DOJ Claim Under Civil Rights Act Fails
Judge Mae A. D’Agostino ruled that the federal government's claim under the Civil Rights Act of 1960 was not entitled to the state roll. This ruling was issued during the dismissal of the lawsuit against New York.
Source ↗Federal judge tosses DOJ lawsuit seeking New York voter roll
A federal judge dismissed the Department of Justice's lawsuit seeking New York’s unredacted voter roll. The dismissal followed the same reasoning as the West Virginia case.
Source ↗Judge Johnston dismisses DOJ lawsuit in West Virginia
U.S. District Judge Thomas E. Johnston granted West Virginia’s motion to dismiss the Department of Justice’s lawsuit. The judge ruled that the DOJ failed to provide a sufficient legal argument for its demand for sensitive voter data.
Source ↗Judge Johnston dismisses DOJ lawsuit seeking West Virginia voter rolls
U.S. District Judge Thomas E. Johnston granted West Virginia's motion to dismiss the Department of Justice's lawsuit. The judge found the DOJ failed to make a sufficient legal argument for its demand of sensitive voter data.
Source ↗D.C. Circuit Court Lifts Block on USPS Mail-In Ballot Plan
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a stay. This decision lifted a lower court's block regarding the USPS's mail-in ballot proposal.
Source ↗Trump asks Supreme Court to allow mail voting executive order
President Donald Trump requested the Supreme Court permit the administration to proceed with a sweeping executive order concerning mail voting. This executive order had previously been blocked by lower courts in nearly two dozen states.
Source ↗Trump Administration Urges Supreme Court on Mail-in Voting Order
The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to clear the way for an executive order from President Donald Trump. This order was intended to dramatically change mail-in voting ahead of the November midterm elections.
Source ↗Justice Department Asks Supreme Court to Halt Lower Court Decisions
The Justice Department petitioned the justices to halt lower court decisions. These decisions were previously blocking sweeping changes to mail-in voting in nearly half of the country.
Source ↗1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocks Trump executive order
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 2-1 decision. This decision left in place a lower court order blocking the implementation of Trump's executive order 14399.
Source ↗US appeals court upholds injunction blocking Trump's federal voter list order
A US appeals court upheld an injunction. This legal action blocks an order issued by Trump to create a federal voter list.
Source ↗Federal appellate panel refuses to block Trump's mail ballot order
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia refused to block Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to restrict mail voting. The panel upheld a prior ruling by Judge Carl J. Nichols.
Source ↗August 2026
Trump Executive Order Regulates Mail Ballots via USPS
An executive order issued by President Donald Trump regulated mail ballots. This order allowed the U.S. Postal Service to refuse ballots from states that did not follow a uniform envelope style or submit voter lists to an online portal.
Source ↗Judge rules states not required to share voter rolls with federal government
A judge ruled that states are not required to share their voter rolls with the federal government. This ruling contributed to the Trump administration's streak of court defeats regarding state voter rolls.
Source ↗U.S. Supreme Court allows Trump administration mail voting executive order
The U.S. Supreme Court issued an unsigned ruling, reportedly by a 6-3 vote. The court allowed an executive order from the Trump administration, designed to curtail mail voting, to go into effect.
Source ↗Supreme Court rules states lack legal standing to challenge mail voting restrictions
In the unsigned ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that states lacked legal standing to challenge the restrictions on mail voting. This finding permitted the executive order to proceed.
Source ↗Trump voted by mail in Florida Republican primary
The White House confirmed to The New York Times that President Donald Trump voted by mail ahead of Florida's Republican primary. This action marked at least the third time he has used mail-in voting since becoming president.
Source ↗White House Confirms Donald Trump's Mail-In Vote
The White House confirmed Donald Trump's mail-in vote in Florida. This confirmation was reported by The New York Times.
Source ↗USPS Rule Tightening Mail-In Voting Published to Federal Register
The US Postal Service rule tightening mail-in voting was published to the federal register. This rule states that implementation will occur if government relief is obtained from existing court injunctions.
Source ↗USPS Posts Final Rule Acknowledging Court Injunction Against Changes
The US Postal Service posted a final rule online. The USPS acknowledged that two injunctions issued by federal courts in California and Massachusetts currently bar the implementation of certain changes.
Source ↗Trump administration issues executive order limiting mail balloting
An executive order was issued by the administration limiting mail balloting procedures. This rule subsequently faced legal challenges regarding its enforcement by the U.S. Postal Service.
Source ↗USPS Posts Final Rule Requiring State Voter Information Sharing
The US Postal Service posted a final rule online. This rule mandates that states provide the federal government with access to voter lists before ballot deliveries.
Source ↗USPS Rule Requires States to Share Voter Lists with DHS
The USPS rule requires states to give the US Department of Homeland Security and other agencies access to lists of voters. If states do not comply, the USPS would refuse to deliver the ballots.
Source ↗Supreme Court lifts stay on Trump executive order regarding vote-by-mail
The Supreme Court voted 6-3 to lift a lower court's stay. This decision concerned an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. The order sought to commandeer state vote-by-mail systems.
Source ↗Washington sues U.S. Postal Service over mail ballot restrictions
Washington sued the U.S. Postal Service to block proposed rules from the Trump administration. The lawsuit challenges the executive order's requirements for states to hand over private voting lists to the federal government.
Source ↗Supreme Court rules on timing of Washington's election lawsuits
The Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration, ruling that Washington and other states' prior lawsuits were filed prematurely. The court did not rule on the substance of the executive order.
Source ↗Washington Secretary of State announces ballot mailing timeline
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs stated that the state's 5.1 million ballots are printed and will begin mailing to overseas voters in three weeks. Hobbs advised voters to use drop boxes if the lawsuit fails.
Source ↗Supreme Court rules 6-3 on standing in voting lawsuit
The Supreme Court ruled 6 to 3 that California and 22 other states lacked standing to sue over the executive order. This decision did not address whether President Trump possessed the authority to impose the rules.
Source ↗Judge blocks Trump mail ballot executive order in ruling
A judge issued a ruling blocking the Trump mail ballot executive order. The ruling was reported as being subject to a swift appeal.
Source ↗NYT reports on potential restrictive U.S. Postal Service rule
The New York Times reported that voting by mail could become difficult for tens of millions of Americans. This potential difficulty stems from a restrictive rule governing mail voting that President Trump has demanded.
Source ↗The New York Times reports increased mail-in ballot tossing rates
An analysis published by The New York Times revealed that more mail-in ballots were discarded for lateness in 2026 and 2025 compared to previous years. The report examined heavily contested battlegrounds across 12 states.
Source ↗September 2026
Connecticut Senator Releases Whistleblower Report on USPS Plans
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal released a whistleblower report. The report alleges that procedures planned by the USPS under mandates from President Donald Trump have been hidden from the public.
Source ↗USPS Plans Require State Submission of Mail-In Voter Lists
The USPS is developing a system that requires states to submit their mail-in voter lists. This system prevents ballot delivery if discrepancies exist between USPS records and scanner data.
Source ↗Report details concerns over U.S. Postal Service mail ballot system
A report detailed grave concerns regarding a new system being rushed into use by the U.S. Postal Service. This system is alleged to imperil millions of mail ballots ahead of the midterm elections.
Source ↗Whistle-blower alleges Trump Officials defy court orders
A whistle-blower reported that officials associated with Trump are allegedly defying existing court orders. These orders pertain specifically to the process of voting by mail.
Source ↗USPS Rejects Leon County Ballots Over Spacing Issue
The United States Postal Service rejected mail ballots from Leon County, Florida. The rejection occurred because the "return service requested" text was positioned 0.236 inches from the return address instead of the required quarter-inch.
Source ↗Trump Administration Appeals Supreme Court on Mail-Voting Restrictions
The Trump administration filed an appeal to the Supreme Court. This appeal sought to reject a federal judge's order that halted the implementation of new mail ballot regulations.
Source ↗Judge Indira Talwani extends court order against USPS
US district court judge Indira Talwani extended a court order. This order prevented the US Postal Service (USPS) from enforcing an executive order issued by Donald Trump.
Source ↗Federal judge blocks new mail-in voting limits
A federal judge blocked the implementation of new limits on mail-in ballots. This decision occurred as states began sending out ballots for November's midterm elections.
Source ↗New Mexico Officials Discuss Using FedEx and UPS for Ballots
New Mexico officials, including Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver (D), are discussing using FedEx and UPS to deliver mail ballots. This plan is being considered as a contingency against potential issues with the Postal Service.
Source ↗Mark Earley Granted Temporary USPS Envelope Certification
Leon County's supervisor of elections, Mark Earley, was granted temporary certification for his mail ballots. This certification was provided by postal employees pending the final determination of new USPS design rules.
Source ↗Federal judge freezes Trump mail ballot order
U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols in Washington, D.C., issued an order freezing the mail ballot rule. This action was taken against the rule that was issued on August 21.
Source ↗Democrats launch 'New Battlefield Project' to monitor polls
Democrats announced the 'New Battlefield Project' to counter anticipated voter intimidation. This initiative plans to train tens of thousands of volunteers to monitor polls during the US midterm elections.
Source ↗USPS Halts Development of Trump-Backed Mail Voting System
Postmaster General David Steiner announced that the USPS stopped developing a voter-verification portal. This halt occurred after the Supreme Court issued a ruling concerning mail ballot restrictions proposed by Trump.
Source ↗Supreme Court Rejects Trump's Proposed Mail Ballot Restrictions
The Supreme Court rejected mail ballot restrictions that were proposed by Trump. This judicial decision directly resulted in the USPS halting work on the associated voter-verification portal.
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