North Carolina AG Joins Lawsuit Against Trump's Mail-In Voting Limits

Jackson leads coalition challenging new executive order restricting absentee ballots.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:05am

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An abstract, fragmented painting of overlapping shapes and lines in shades of blue, red, and yellow, conceptually representing the political tension and urgency around voting rights issues.The legal battle over mail-in voting restrictions intensifies as North Carolina joins a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's new executive order.Today in Raleigh

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson has joined a multi-state lawsuit against the Trump administration over a new executive order that seeks to impose nationwide restrictions on mail-in voting. The lawsuit, filed by over 20 states, aims to block the order which critics say unfairly targets absentee ballots.

Why it matters

The legal battle over mail-in voting has become a major political flashpoint, with the Trump administration claiming increased fraud risks while voting rights advocates argue the restrictions disproportionately impact certain communities. North Carolina is a crucial swing state, making the AG's involvement significant as the 2028 presidential election approaches.

The details

The executive order signed by President Trump last month would impose new ID requirements, limit ballot collection sites, and give the federal government more oversight over state mail-in voting procedures. Attorney General Jackson and the coalition argue these changes are unconstitutional and aim to make it harder for citizens to vote by mail.

  • The executive order was signed by President Trump on March 15, 2026.
  • The multi-state lawsuit was filed in federal court on April 1, 2026.

The players

Jeff Jackson

The Attorney General of North Carolina who is leading the lawsuit against the Trump administration's mail-in voting restrictions.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who signed the executive order being challenged in the lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“We must not allow the federal government to unlawfully interfere with North Carolinians' fundamental right to vote.”

— Jeff Jackson, North Carolina Attorney General

“Mail-in voting is rife with fraud and we need to take action to protect the integrity of our elections.”

— Donald Trump

What’s next

The federal court is expected to rule on the lawsuit's request for an injunction to block the executive order within the next 30 days.

The takeaway

This legal battle over mail-in voting restrictions highlights the ongoing partisan divide over election integrity and access, with significant implications for the 2028 presidential race in the key swing state of North Carolina.