A First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that the Postal Service cannot limit who can receive a mail ballot ahead of the 2026 general election, upholding a lower court order in a lawsuit brought by 32 plaintiffs, including Colorado.
The appeals court blocked Postal Service rules designed to restrict mail ballot access based on President Trump's March 31, 2026 executive order on election administration. Colorado joined 24 other states and the District of Columbia in filing the lawsuit on August 26.
Trump's executive order was the second issued during his second term directly related to election administration. His first executive order on elections, which sought changes to voter registration requirements, has been largely blocked by courts.
An appeal in the case remains pending before the United States Supreme Court.