The 1st Circuit upheld a district court injunction blocking Trump's election order.
Why it matters: The ruling keeps federal limits off mail-ballot delivery in the plaintiff states ahead of the 2026 elections. It also leaves in place a major test of presidential power over election administration.
- The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on July 26, 2026.
- The court left in place a June 25, 2026 injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani.
- Trump's March executive order sought a federal voter list and would have limited mail-ballot delivery to people on that list.
- The injunction remains effective in 23 states and the District of Columbia.
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an injunction blocking President Donald Trump's March executive order that sought to create a federal voter list and limit mail-ballot delivery to people on that list, according to this AP report.
The ruling leaves the order blocked in 23 states and the District of Columbia, which sued to stop it. The lower court injunction remains in place ahead of the 2026 federal elections.
According to the district court record, the order directed the Department of Homeland Security, working with the Social Security Administration, to compile state-by-state citizenship lists of eligible voters. It also directed the U.S. Postal Service to deliver mail ballots only to people on that list, as described in the court filing.
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued the injunction on June 25, 2026. The injunction barred the administration from enforcing the challenged provisions against the plaintiff states for the November 3, 2026 election and earlier federal elections, according to the injunction order.
A Wisconsin Department of Justice statement described the decision as a victory for the plaintiff states. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said, "This ruling shuts down a blatantly unlawful attempt by the President to exert control over elections."
By the numbers
- 23 states and the District of Columbia - The plaintiff states that sued.
- June 25, 2026 - The date Judge Indira Talwani issued the injunction.
- July 26, 2026 - The date the 1st Circuit ruled.