Democratic-controlled states filed a new lawsuit on Wednesday to challenge an executive order by President Donald Trump that seeks to limit mail-in voting for this year's midterm elections, according to a report published August 26.
The legal action was filed by nearly two dozen states against the Postal Service, marking a new phase in the litigation. This development comes two days after the Supreme Court ruled against the states in a separate case, though the high court did not rule on the legality of the Trump order.
The new lawsuit follows the federal government's issuance of a rule regulating how the Postal Service delivers mail-in ballots. Under this rule, states seeking mail-in ballot delivery must receive federal approval for their envelope designs and provide the Postal Service with a list of eligible voters.
Election officials have warned that it may be impossible to implement these new regulations before the first round of mail-in ballots is sent out next week.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of the 25 Democratic attorneys general filing the suit, stated in a statement that the federal government is attempting to interfere with election preparations at the last moment and potentially threaten the voting rights of many Americans. James argued that the Postal Service lacks the authority to decide who is permitted to vote by mail.
The Trump administration has argued that the previous injunction against the executive order should be revoked following the Supreme Court's recent decision. The order remains subject to a separate injunction issued on August 11 by federal district judge Indira Talwani in a case brought by the League of Women Voters and other groups.
President Trump has frequently criticized mail-in voting, citing it as a factor in his 2020 electoral defeat. Since returning to office, he has sought to assert authority over election rules, including an earlier executive order that attempted to require documentary proof of citizenship to vote.
