Oregon Challenges Trump's Order Restricting Vote-by-Mail

State joins lawsuit against federal effort to limit mail-in voting access

Apr. 4, 2026 at 2:09pm by Ben Kaplan

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Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield has filed a lawsuit challenging an executive order from President Trump that would limit voting by mail. The order directs the Department of Homeland Security to create verified voter lists using federal data, which would then be transferred to states to determine voter eligibility. Rayfield argues this order unconstitutionally gives the U.S. Postal Service the power to decide who receives a mail-in ballot, which he says is not the postal service's role.

Why it matters

The lawsuit argues the executive order violates the separation of powers by infringing on states' authority to conduct elections. Critics say the order could create 'confusion, chaos and distrust' in state elections and potentially disenfranchise eligible voters. Oregon has had mail-in voting since 1998 and has seen very few cases of fraud, raising questions about the president's claims of widespread issues with mail-in ballots.

The details

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield joined 22 other state attorneys general and the Governor of Pennsylvania in filing the lawsuit to block Trump's March 31 executive order. The order directs the Department of Homeland Security to create verified voter lists using federal data, including Social Security, and transfer those lists to states to determine voter eligibility. Rayfield argues this order unconstitutionally gives the U.S. Postal Service the power to decide which Americans get a mail-in ballot, which he says is not the postal service's role.

  • President Trump signed the executive order on March 31, 2026.
  • Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed the lawsuit on Friday, April 4, 2026.

The players

Dan Rayfield

The Attorney General of Oregon who filed the lawsuit challenging President Trump's executive order.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who issued the executive order limiting mail-in voting access.

Tina Kotek

The Governor of Oregon who issued a press release in support of the lawsuit against Trump's order.

Abigail Jackson

A White House spokesperson who defended the executive order, saying it is a lawful effort to secure American elections.

U.S. Postal Service

The federal agency that the executive order seeks to empower to determine voter eligibility for mail-in ballots.

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What they’re saying

“The United States Postal Service has one job: to deliver the mail. President Trump is trying to give it a second one — deciding which Americans get a ballot.”

— Dan Rayfield, Oregon Attorney General

“Today, Oregon is moving to block President Trump's unconstitutional voter suppression effort. His attack on the fundamental right of every American to vote has nothing to do with election integrity and everything to do with silencing people so he can ultimately influence election results.”

— Tina Kotek, Governor of Oregon

“Only Democrat politicians and operatives would be upset about lawful efforts to secure American elections and ensure only eligible American citizens are casting ballots. President Trump campaigned on securing our elections and the American people sent him back to the White House to get the job done.”

— Abigail Jackson, White House Spokesperson

What’s next

The lawsuit filed by Oregon and other states will now proceed through the court system, with the goal of blocking President Trump's executive order before it can be implemented ahead of upcoming elections.

The takeaway

This legal challenge highlights the ongoing tensions over voting rights and election security, with the Oregon lawsuit arguing that Trump's order unconstitutionally interferes with states' authority to manage their own elections. The outcome could have significant implications for mail-in voting access and public trust in the electoral process.