Story perspectives

Federal Judges Block Trump's 2026 Voter Registration, Mail-in Limits

6/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Federal judges in Massachusetts, Nevada and Maryland blocked President Donald Trump’s 2026 orders to federalize voter registration and limit mail-in voting.
The judges ruled the orders unconstitutional, saying the Constitution gives election-setting power to states and Congress.
Secretaries of State from Nevada, Oregon, Michigan and Colorado praised the rulings as safeguards.
Ten district courts dismissed the Justice Department’s lawsuits for unredacted voter rolls, marking a consistent defeat for the administration.

History

Historical Context

After Supreme Court’s 2013 Shelby County v. Holder ruling—written by Chief Justice John Roberts—that struck down Voting Rights Act Section 4(b) coverage formula, states such as Texas enacted ID laws and purged voter rolls, removing about 2 million voters between 2012 and 2016. In 2026, judges in Massachusetts, Nevada and Maryland blocked President Donald Trump’s orders to federalize voter registration and limit voting, reinforcing judicial checks on election power.

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Story summary

Federal judges in Massachusetts, Nevada and Maryland blocked President Donald Trump’s 2026 orders to federalize voter registration and limit mail-in voting.
The judges ruled the orders unconstitutional, saying the Constitution gives election-setting power to states and Congress.
Secretaries of State from Nevada, Oregon, Michigan and Colorado praised the rulings as safeguards.
Ten district courts dismissed the Justice Department’s lawsuits for unredacted voter rolls, marking a consistent defeat for the administration.

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