California Sues to Block Trump's Order Limiting Mail-In Voting

State files 66th lawsuit against administration over executive order targeting federal voters

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:30pm

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A vibrant, fragmented painting in red, white, and blue hues depicting an abstract ballot box, conceptually representing the political tensions over voting rights and election integrity.California's latest lawsuit against the Trump administration aims to block an executive order that could limit mail-in voting access.Today in Sacramento

California has filed a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's recent executive order that aims to create lists of federal voters in order to curb mail-in voting. This marks the 66th lawsuit the state has brought against the Trump administration since he took office just over a year ago.

Why it matters

The legal battle over mail-in voting has become a major political flashpoint, with Democrats arguing it expands access to the polls and Republicans claiming it increases the risk of voter fraud. California's latest lawsuit reflects the ongoing tensions between the state and the federal government over voting rights and election integrity.

The details

In his executive order, Trump directed federal agencies to provide state election officials with data on individuals registered to vote in federal elections. The goal is to create lists that states can use to remove 'ineligible' voters from mail-in voting rolls. California argues this order violates the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection under the law and unfairly targets the state's large population of mail-in voters.

  • President Trump issued the executive order on March 28, 2026.
  • California filed the lawsuit on April 2, 2026.

The players

President Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States who issued the executive order to limit mail-in voting.

California

The most populous U.S. state, which has filed 66 lawsuits against the Trump administration and is now challenging the president's latest order on mail-in voting.

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What they’re saying

“This executive order is a blatant attempt to suppress the vote and undermine our democracy. We will not stand for it.”

— Xavier Becerra, California Attorney General

What’s next

A federal judge will hear arguments in the case and decide whether to issue an injunction blocking the executive order while the lawsuit proceeds.

The takeaway

The legal battle over mail-in voting continues to be a major flashpoint between California and the Trump administration, reflecting the broader partisan divide over election integrity and voter access.