The US Supreme Court has given the green light, at least partially, to the Trump administration’s plan to implement stricter mail-in voting regulations ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections. In a 6-3 decision, the court’s conservative justices lifted one of the injunctions that had been blocking President Donald Trump’s executive order. However, another injunction remains, meaning that the full execution of the order is still 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, and it restricts the mailing of ballots to individuals on this list. Additionally, the order seeks to increase federal oversight of state and local election officials regarding voter eligibility. Democratic officials from 23 states, along with Washington, DC, have opposed the order, claiming it infringes on states’ and Congress’s constitutional powers over election management. They also caution that such significant changes so close to the elections might disrupt preparations and hinder eligible voters from casting their votes.
A Massachusetts judge initially blocked the executive order, ruling that the president lacked the authority to dictate the administration of federal elections at the state level. This decision was upheld by an appeals court, and a nationwide injunction remains in place. The Supreme Court’s recent decision to lift the first injunction does not imply that all actions taken by the administration to enforce the order are lawful, and the remaining legal challenges could ultimately affect how much of the policy is implemented.
The Supreme Court’s ruling has sparked criticism from Democratic leaders and voting-rights advocates, who argue that the measures could sow confusion and complicate the voting process for eligible participants. States like California are preparing additional legal challenges in response. This legal tussle unfolds with less than 100 days until the November midterm elections, which will decide the control of both the US House of Representatives and the Senate. Mail-in voting continues to play a crucial role in the US electoral system, accounting for about 30% of ballots during the 2024 presidential election.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has repeatedly expressed skepticism about the security of mail-in voting and has advocated for broader election rule changes as part of his administration’s policy agenda.