Appeals Court Blocks Trump Mail-In Voting Executive Order

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston ruled on Saturday to block the administration of Donald Trump from implementing a March 31 executive order designed to tighten mail-in voting rules. In a 2-1 decision, the court upheld a June 25 injunction by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, who found key portions of the order unconstitutional.

The executive order directed the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to compile state-by-state citizenship lists to verify voter eligibility. It further instructed the U.S. Postal Service to restrict ballot delivery to approved lists and ordered the Department of Justice to prosecute election officials who issued ballots to ineligible voters. Postmaster General David Steiner testified that the Postal Service would refuse to deliver ballots in states that did not comply with these rules.

The court rejected the administration's argument that legal challenges were premature, stating that state and local officials are responsible for administering federal elections under the Constitution. Judges warned the order would create unprecedented levels of federal involvement in elections and could disenfranchise voters ahead of the September and November midterms. The ruling applies to the District of Columbia and 23 states, including California, Massachusetts, and Washington.

President Trump defended the measures as necessary to protect election integrity and prevent non-citizen voting. The United States Department of Justice indicated it may ask the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene if it cannot secure a favorable ruling.