A federal judge has blocked key portions of President Donald Trump’s executive order on elections, marking a legal victory for Arizona and more than 20 other states that argued the measure exceeded presidential authority and interfered with state-run election systems.
The ruling halts provisions of the order that would have directed the federal government to create a nationwide list of eligible voters and required the U.S. Postal Service to use that list when determining who could receive mail ballots. The decision applies to the 2026 midterm election cycle, with the court concluding that the executive order improperly sought to exercise powers reserved to Congress and the states.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, whose office joined the lawsuit, welcomed the decision, noting that nearly 80% of Arizona voters cast their ballots by mail. She argued the executive order would have disrupted a voting system that has been widely used across the state for decades, including by military families, rural residents, and tribal communities.
The Trump administration said it intends to appeal the ruling and maintains the executive order is a lawful effort to strengthen election security. The case is one of several legal challenges involving recent federal election directives, reflecting the continuing debate over the balance of authority between the federal government and the states in administering elections.
