North Carolina AG sues to stop Trump's mail-in voting order

Jackson joins other state AGs in challenging executive order on mail-in ballots ahead of 2026 elections.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:08am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting of an abstract ballot box icon in shades of navy blue, slate gray, and crimson red, conveying the chaotic and contested nature of mail-in voting policies.The legal battle over mail-in voting rules continues to be a contentious political issue ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.Today in Raleigh

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is suing to stop an executive order signed by President Donald Trump that would require states to provide the U.S. Postal Service with lists of approved mail-in voters within 60 days of an election. Jackson argues the order could disenfranchise military voters and faces legal challenges over the president's authority to issue such a directive.

Why it matters

The legal battle over mail-in voting rules is a key issue ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with concerns that the executive order could create logistical challenges and potential voter suppression if implemented.

The details

Trump's executive order would mandate that states provide the Postal Service with lists of approved mail-in voters 60 days before an election. However, experts say this could cause problems, such as preventing voters who need to change their registration due to events like natural disasters from being able to cast ballots by mail. Jackson is also concerned the order could negatively impact military voters, who have special protections under federal law.

  • The executive order was signed by President Trump in 2026.
  • The 2026 midterm elections are scheduled for November.

The players

Jeff Jackson

The Attorney General of North Carolina who is suing to stop the executive order.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who signed the executive order on mail-in voting.

Chris Cooper

A professor at Western Carolina University who provided analysis on the potential impacts of the executive order.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Whoever wrote this executive order must not understand military voting.”

— Jeff Jackson, Attorney General of North Carolina

“It's unclear at least to me how this executive order will apply to UOCAVA voters as opposed to other mail in voters in the state.”

— Chris Cooper, Professor, Western Carolina University

What’s next

The lawsuit filed by Attorney General Jackson and other state AGs will determine the legality and implementation of the executive order ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The takeaway

The battle over mail-in voting rules remains a contentious political issue, with concerns that the executive order could create logistical challenges and potential voter suppression if implemented. The outcome of the legal challenge will have significant implications for election access and integrity in 2026 and beyond.