Trump's Attempt to Hijack States' Election Authority Challenged

Pennsylvania governor joins 23 other states in lawsuit against executive order on mail-in voting

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A quiet, cinematic painting of an empty government office space, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows cast across the room, conveying a sense of political uncertainty and the fragility of democratic institutions.As the battle over election authority rages, an empty government office space reflects the fragility of democratic norms.Today in Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has joined 23 other states in challenging President Donald Trump's executive order that instructs the U.S. Postal Service to regulate mail-in voting across the country. The states argue that the Constitution gives state legislatures, not the executive branch, the primary authority to organize federal elections.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tension between federal and state power over election administration, with the Trump administration attempting to expand the executive branch's role despite the Constitution's clear assignment of this authority to state legislatures and Congress.

The details

Trump's executive order, titled 'Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections,' would authorize the USPS to develop regulations for mail balloting, including requiring voters to use officially marked envelopes with barcodes. The order also directs the government to create lists of state citizens and voters receiving mail-in ballots, so the USPS can reject mail from anyone not on the lists. However, the Constitution's elections clause states that the 'Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof,' with Congress having the power to override state rules.

  • The executive order was issued by President Trump in April 2026.

The players

Josh Shapiro

The governor of Pennsylvania who has joined 23 other states in challenging Trump's executive order on mail-in voting.

Donald Trump

The former president who issued the executive order attempting to regulate mail-in voting across the country.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The lawsuit filed by the 24 states challenging Trump's executive order will likely be heard in federal court in the coming months.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing battle over election authority between the federal government and the states, with the Constitution clearly granting primary power to state legislatures. The Trump administration's attempt to expand the executive branch's role in regulating elections is seen by many as a dangerous overreach that threatens the integrity of the democratic process.