Judge refuses to block Trump’s order limiting mail-in voting ahead of 2026 midterm polls | Today’s news
A federal judge has refused to block President Donald Trump’s executive order to create a nationwide voter registration system and limit mail-in voting, which would put the administration closer to implementing major changes to America’s voting system ahead of this year’s midterm polls, according to the Associated Press.
Late Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee based in Washington, rejected a plea from Democratic groups and human rights organizations seeking to suspend the order. Challengers argued that the directive was likely unconstitutional, arguing that the power to regulate elections rested with individual states and Congress, not the president.
But Nichols sided with the Trump administration’s argument that the injunction was premature because the executive order had not yet been implemented.
What did Nichols say?
“The Court recognizes that the Postal Service may ultimately issue a final rule that directly affects plaintiffs or their members, or that the government may develop citizenship lists that omit specific individuals because of specific deficiencies. Plaintiffs may, of course, renew their motions if and until such future actions occur. But until then, plaintiffs cannot demonstrate that preliminary injunctions are warranted.”
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Judge Nichols’ decision allows for more legal challenges once the Trump administration begins implementing the executive order. Another lawsuit aimed at blocking the directive is currently pending in Boston.
Regardless of how quickly the administration moves, the ongoing primary election, which continues next month, is not expected to be affected by any changes to voting rules.
The administration has also not yet officially published any lists of eligible voters. The groups that sought the initial temporary pause said they would return to court if the government took steps to issue such lists.
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The League of United Latin American Citizens, one of the organizations that requested a stay from Nichols CEO Juan Proaño, said: “We are ready to renew the fight if the administration takes further action.”
Trump issued the order in March after a vote change proposal he supported failed to pass in Congress. The directive called for the federal government to prepare a nationwide list of eligible voters and ordered the US Postal Service to deliver postal tickets only to individuals on that list.
The proposal drew criticism from election officials, who warned it could be open to abuse and cause widespread confusion in the voting process. The plan was also opposed by the postal workers’ union, which protested the idea that mail carriers would be tasked with overseeing voting eligibility.
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Since losing the 2020 presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden, Trump has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that mail-in voting is plagued by fraud. He also ordered a federal investigation into the 2020 election despite numerous audits and investigations, including those by Republican-led agencies, that found no signs of widespread voter fraud.
In addition, Trump has said he wants to “take over” the administration of elections in areas held by Democrats.
Democrats and civil rights groups have argued that an immediate ban from Judge Nichols is necessary, given that the primary election season is underway and states are already gearing up for fall elections.
The move marks Trump’s second executive order aimed at overhauling America’s electoral system. His earlier election-related order, issued shortly after the start of his second term, was blocked by several federal judges.
Among the proposed measures was a requirement that voters prove their citizenship when registering to vote.
