BOSTON — A U.S. federal judge has allowed lawsuits challenging President Donald Trump's executive order on mail-in voting to proceed with respect to its impact on the upcoming November midterm elections and some primaries.
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston ruled on Thursday that Democratic-led states and voting rights groups could continue their legal challenges to the March 31 executive order for the 2026 elections. The judge dismissed for now claims related to elections beyond the midterms.
The executive order directs federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Postal Service, to take steps on citizenship verification for voters and to restrict delivery of certain mail ballots. Critics, including plaintiffs in the case, argue it unlawfully interferes with state authority over elections.
"In light of the EO’s specific deadlines over the next three months, and the reality that elections will be occurring throughout this period with the November 3, 2026 midterm occurring in just five months, postponing judicial review is impracticable and may inflict significant hardship on Plaintiffs," Talwani wrote in her order.
Plaintiffs include the League of Women Voters and other groups, along with attorneys general from multiple states. They contend the order violates the Constitution by attempting to override state election laws and risks disenfranchising eligible voters.
The Trump administration has defended the order as a measure to ensure election integrity through citizenship checks and mail ballot controls. Officials have said it addresses vulnerabilities in the voting process.
The ruling comes after separate challenges in other courts, including one in Washington where a judge previously declined to immediately block parts of the order. Implementation efforts by federal agencies, including work on citizenship lists, are ongoing.
Voting rights organizations welcomed the decision to allow the case to move forward for the midterms. A spokesperson for California Attorney General Rob Bonta said they were pleased the attempt to dismiss the lawsuit as premature was rejected for the upcoming elections.
The executive order has drawn significant attention ahead of the November midterms, which will determine control of Congress. Details on the full scope of potential implementation and any further court proceedings remain subject to ongoing litigation. As of Saturday, no immediate injunction blocking the order has been issued.
