A federal judge in Massachusetts just blocked President Trump’s election integrity executive order — stopping the U.S. Postal Service from enforcing key mail-in ballot reforms before the 2026 midterm elections.
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday preventing USPS from implementing Section 3 of Executive Order 14399. The ruling stops the administration from refusing to transmit mail-in or absentee ballots under the order’s tighter standards.
The injunction covers the Nov. 3 midterm elections and any earlier federal elections.
“Cheating on mail-in voting is legendary. It’s horrible. Democrats want to use it for cheating.”
Trump signed the executive order in March as part of his election integrity agenda. The order directs the Department of Homeland Security to compile lists of confirmed U.S. citizens eligible to vote, instructs USPS to establish new standards for mail-in ballots, and tells the DOJ to prioritize investigations into state and local election officials who issue federal ballots to ineligible voters.
The Trump administration is expected to appeal the ruling to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston.
Tuesday’s decision comes weeks after the 1st Circuit rejected the administration’s attempt to enforce other provisions of Trump’s order while a separate legal challenge proceeds.
In a 2-1 decision July 25, the appeals court denied the DOJ’s request to pause a June ruling blocking several provisions of the order in 23 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia.
That lawsuit was led by California, Massachusetts, Nevada and Washington. The states argued the Constitution gives states primary responsibility for administering federal elections and that Trump exceeded his authority by directing federal agencies to impose new voting requirements.
Talwani had previously blocked several provisions of the executive order in June, finding they likely exceeded the president’s authority. The appeals court left that injunction in place July 25 while the administration’s appeal proceeds.
The DOJ previously told the appeals court it could seek emergency relief from the U.S. Supreme Court if it does not prevail.
The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts praised Tuesday’s ruling, calling it a protection of voting rights for people who rely on mail-in ballots.
“The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts commends the court for upholding one of our most sacred constitutional rights: the right to vote,” a representative for the organization said in a statement. “We are pleased to see this ruling and are committed to remaining in the fight to protect voting rights — not just for the Bay Staters who rely on mail voting, but for every American who utilizes this safe, secure, and trusted tool.”
The White House, DOJ and USPS did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Talwani ordered the plaintiff organizations to post a nominal $100 bond by Aug. 18.
The charges remain allegations. The case has not been proven in court.
