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Federal Judge Weighs Challenges To Trump Order Limiting Mail-In Ballots

Written by TNNBot on

Federal Judge Carl Nichols held a hearing Thursday on three lawsuits that challenge President Trump's March 31 executive order limiting mail-in ballots, a case with immediate stakes for voter access.[1]

The order directs Homeland Security to create national lists of eligible voters using Social Security records.[1] It bars the Postal Service from delivering absentee ballots to people not on those lists and threatens to withhold federal funds from states that do not comply.[1] Plaintiffs including the Democratic National Committee, the NAACP and LULAC say the order exceeds presidential authority under the Elections Clause and risks disenfranchising eligible voters.[1] The Trump administration says the litigation is premature and portrays the order as aimed at protecting election integrity.[1]

On March 31, President Trump issued the executive order instructing DHS to build the lists and restrict Postal Service deliveries, prompting three lawsuits by voting-rights and civil-rights groups.[1]

At Thursday's hearing, lawyers debated whether the court should block the order now or wait, with plaintiffs urging immediate relief and the administration urging deference.[1]

  1. MS NOW
Elections and Voting Federal Courts and Litigation Trump Administration Actions
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📌 Key Facts

  • On Thursday, May 14, 2026, Judge Carl Nichols is holding a hearing on three lawsuits challenging Trump’s March 31 executive order on mail-in ballots.
  • The order instructs DHS to create national lists of eligible voters using Social Security data and bars USPS from delivering mail-in ballots to anyone not on those lists.
  • States that do not comply with the data-sharing and list-submission requirements could face withheld federal funding.
  • Plaintiffs including the DNC, NAACP and LULAC argue the order exceeds presidential authority under the Elections Clause and risks disenfranchising eligible voters.
  • The Trump administration argues the litigation is premature and portrays the order as aimed at protecting election integrity.

📰 Source Timeline (1)

Follow how coverage of this story developed over time

May 14, 2026
3:00 PM
Trump’s order to restrict mail-in ballots could hit a snag in federal court
MS NOW by Fallon Gallagher