President Trump Attempts to Stop Mail-In Voting for Millions of Voters Through New Executive Order

April 1, 2026

Washington DC — On Tuesday, President Trump signed a sweeping executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration to create a “State Citizenship List” for each state, weaponizing the U.S. Postal Service to restrict mail-in ballot voting, and threatening states with a loss of federal funding if they do not comply with the order. Advancement Project condemns this order as an unconstitutional assault on the fundamental right to vote.

Advancement Project’s Power and Democracy Program Director Hani Mirza shared the following statement:

“Democracy only works when all our communities can participate in it, and today, we’re witnessing yet another attempt to box us out from exercising that right. Mail-in voting has been a critical lifeline for voters of color, people with disabilities, rural voters, and working people.

This order to assert federal control over the mail-in ballot process is undoubtedly unconstitutional. Federal courts have already blocked earlier executive attempts to impose nationwide election rules, including proof-of-citizenship requirements and federal control over voter registration.

This order also cannot be separated from the broader legislative push for the SAVE America Act, which would impose burdensome proof-of-citizenship and photo ID requirements that would create new barriers to the ballot for millions of Americans. The authoritarian plan to shrink the number of people who can participate in the 2026 midterms is clear. In our ongoing pursuit of a truly multiracial democracy, we refuse to remain silent and will continue to defend the right to vote until every community is heard and every eligible voter is able to cast a ballot that counts.”

###

Advancement Project is a next-generation, multi-racial civil rights organization. Rooted in the great human rights struggles for equality and justice, we exist to fulfill America’s promise of a caring, inclusive and just democracy. We use innovative tools and strategies to strengthen social movements and achieve high impact policy change. Visit www.advancementproject.org to learn more.