Colorado Joins Lawsuit Challenging Trump's Election Executive Order

The order threatens voting access for millions of Colorado voters who rely on mail ballots, state officials say.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:03pm

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A dynamic, fragmented painting in shades of blue, grey, and red depicting abstract, overlapping shapes representing the clash between state and federal control over elections.The legal battle over Trump's executive order on mail-in voting reflects the ongoing tension between state and federal authority over election processes.Denver Today

Colorado has joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging an executive order by former President Donald Trump that seeks to reshape how elections are administered nationwide. The lawsuit, led by a coalition of Democratic attorneys general, argues the order unlawfully interferes with states' authority to run their own elections and threatens voting access for millions of residents who use mail ballots.

Why it matters

The case sets up a high-stakes constitutional fight over election authority at a time when voting rules remain a deeply contested issue nationwide. The outcome could determine whether states retain control over their election systems or face new federal mandates imposed by the executive branch.

The details

Trump's executive order calls for the creation of a nationwide list of eligible voters and directs the U.S. Postal Service to deliver mail ballots only to those on that list. Voting law experts and state officials have argued the measure violates the Constitution by attempting to seize powers legally reserved for the states. The order also threatens states with the loss of federal funding and potential criminal penalties for election officials who fail to comply.

  • Trump signed the executive order on March 31, 2026.
  • Colorado joined the lawsuit on April 3, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who signed the executive order.

Phil Weiser

The Colorado Attorney General who announced the state's decision to join the lawsuit.

Jena Griswold

The Colorado Secretary of State who criticized the executive order as "undemocratic, unconstitutional, and dangerous."

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What they’re saying

“The president's unlawful executive order threatens the right to vote for millions of Colorado voters—Democrat, Republican, or Unaffiliated—who use mail ballots.”

— Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General

“This Executive Order is undemocratic, unconstitutional, and dangerous. Trump once again is trying to unlawfully exert influence on states' elections in an effort to hold onto power in the upcoming midterm elections, this time by creating a Trump voter list. The Constitution is clear: states oversee elections, not Trump.”

— Jena Griswold, Colorado Secretary of State

What’s next

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, is asking the court to block enforcement of the executive order.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing battle over the balance of power between states and the federal government when it comes to administering elections. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for voting rights and the integrity of future elections.