Civil Rights Groups Sue to Stop Trump Order on Mail-In Ballots

NAACP, Common Cause, Black Voters Matter, and Lawyers' Committee file lawsuit against new federal restrictions.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:05pm

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An abstract, fragmented painting of overlapping geometric shapes in navy, green, and orange, conveying the turbulent struggle over voting rights and ballot access.Civil rights groups fight to protect mail-in voting as new restrictions threaten voter access.Washington Today

Four leading civil and voting rights organizations, including the NAACP, have filed a lawsuit challenging a recent executive order issued by former President Trump that aims to restrict access to mail-in voting across the United States. The groups argue the order unfairly targets marginalized communities and threatens to disenfranchise millions of eligible voters.

Why it matters

Mail-in voting has been a widely used and accepted practice for decades, allowing greater voter access and participation. This lawsuit seeks to protect the voting rights of all Americans, especially those in underserved communities who may face greater barriers to in-person voting.

The details

The lawsuit alleges the Trump order imposes burdensome new requirements for mail-in ballots, such as providing copies of government-issued IDs, that could prevent many eligible voters from casting their ballots. The civil rights groups argue these restrictions violate the Constitution's guarantees of equal protection and due process.

  • The lawsuit was filed over the weekend, shortly after the Trump order was issued.

The players

NAACP

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, one of the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organizations.

Common Cause

A nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy, including protecting voting rights.

Black Voters Matter

A civic engagement group focused on increasing Black voter registration and turnout.

Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

A nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights legal organization that has fought for racial justice and voting rights for over 50 years.

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What’s next

The lawsuit is expected to be heard by a federal judge in the coming weeks, with a decision that could have far-reaching implications for the 2028 presidential election.

The takeaway

This legal challenge represents a high-stakes battle over voting rights, with civil rights groups fighting to protect equitable access to the ballot box in the face of restrictive new policies. The outcome could set a precedent for how mail-in voting is administered nationwide.