The U.S. Supreme Court has permitted the Trump administration to advance, at least partially, with its plan to enforce stricter regulations on mail-in voting before the November 2026 midterm elections. In a 6-3 decision, the court’s conservative majority lifted one of the injunctions that had blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order. However, the administration’s full implementation of the order is still hindered by another remaining injunction, leaving the policy subject to further legal battles.
Issued in March, Trump’s executive order mandates the federal government to compile a list of eligible voters based on citizenship, limiting mail-in ballots to those on the list. It also seeks increased federal oversight of state and local election officials concerning voter eligibility. Democratic leaders from 23 states and Washington, D.C., have contested the order, asserting that election administration falls under the jurisdiction of the states and Congress. They have also raised concerns that such significant changes, so close to the elections, could disrupt election preparations and disenfranchise eligible voters.
Initially, the order was blocked by a Massachusetts judge who ruled that Trump lacked the authority to dictate election administration at the state level. This decision was upheld by an appeals court, and a nationwide injunction remains in place. The Supreme Court’s decision to lift the first injunction does not guarantee that all measures taken by the administration to enforce the order will stand legal scrutiny, as ongoing challenges could influence the extent to which the policy is enacted.
Democratic leaders and voting-rights advocates have strongly criticized the ruling, arguing that it could lead to confusion and hinder eligible voters’ ability to cast their ballots. In response, California and other states are gearing up for additional legal challenges. This legal dispute arises less than 100 days before the pivotal November midterm elections, where control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate will be decided. Mail-in voting continues to be a significant element of the American electoral process, accounting for about 30% of the ballots in the 2024 presidential election.
Throughout his administration, Trump has persistently questioned the security of mail-in voting and advocated for comprehensive changes to election procedures as part of his broader election policy agenda.
