Nevada Leads Lawsuit Challenging Trump's Mail-In Voting Order

21 states join Nevada in legal action against federal restrictions on absentee ballots.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 4:33am

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An avant-garde painting of overlapping, fragmented shapes in shades of blue and purple, representing the complex and contested nature of voting rights and election administration.The legal battle over mail-in voting rules reflects the ongoing partisan tensions surrounding election integrity and voter access.Las Vegas Today

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar have filed a lawsuit with 21 other states challenging President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at restricting mail-in voting and creating a nationwide voter list. The officials argue the order is unconstitutional and would create problems for voters by changing election rules mid-cycle.

Why it matters

The lawsuit represents a high-profile clash between states' rights and federal authority over election administration. It also highlights ongoing partisan battles over mail-in voting, which became a flashpoint during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains a contentious issue.

The details

Trump's executive order would put the Department of Homeland Security in charge of building a nationwide list of verified, eligible voters and block the U.S. Postal Service from sending absentee ballots to anyone not on a state's approved voter list. Nevada officials say the order is an 'unfunded mandate' that would disrupt the state's election processes.

  • Trump signed the executive order earlier this week.
  • Nevada and 21 other states filed the lawsuit on April 4, 2026.

The players

Aaron Ford

The Attorney General of Nevada who is leading the multi-state lawsuit against Trump's executive order.

Cisco Aguilar

The Secretary of State of Nevada who is joining the lawsuit against the federal voting restrictions.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. President who signed the executive order aimed at restricting mail-in voting.

Joe Lombardo

The Governor of Nevada who has not yet indicated whether he will support the lawsuit led by Ford and Aguilar.

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What they’re saying

“The notion that the federal government must get involved in local state processes is a direct attack on Nevadans' constitutional right to vote.”

— Aaron Ford, Attorney General of Nevada

“All of a sudden, you make it to the championship or World Series, and all of a sudden rules are different — fans would go absolutely nuts, and it's the same in our election. Voters deserve consistency.”

— Cisco Aguilar, Secretary of State of Nevada

“I don't know how it could be challenged.”

— Donald Trump

What’s next

The lawsuit filed by Nevada and the other 21 states will now proceed through the court system, with a judge set to rule on the constitutionality of Trump's executive order in the coming months.

The takeaway

This legal battle highlights the ongoing partisan divide over mail-in voting and the delicate balance between federal and state authority over election administration. The outcome could have significant implications for voter access and election integrity heading into the 2028 presidential race.