WASHINGTON, DC - The League of Women Voters today issued the following statement from CEO Celina Stewart in response to yesterday's decision by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit regarding President Trump's executive order on mail voting:
"Yesterday's ruling does not change what is at stake for voters. The freedom to vote is fundamental to our democracy, and it is deeply troubling that, just months before the 2026 midterm elections, voters are once again being forced to navigate uncertainty and confusion about the rules that govern our access to the ballot.
"While the court declined to block the executive order at this stage, the serious concerns surrounding this proposal remain. The Constitution is clear: states are responsible for administering elections, and voters deserve election rules that are transparent, stable, and designed to expand participation — not create confusion or create new barriers to the ballot box. It is shameful that Americans must remain constantly vigilant against efforts from the highest levels of government to make it harder for eligible citizens to vote.
"Mail voting is a secure, reliable, and trusted option used by millions of Americans. Seniors, military families, rural voters, voters with disabilities, caregivers, and working people across the country rely on the flexibility mail voting provides to participate in our democracy. Efforts to restrict access to mail ballots risk silencing eligible voters and undermining confidence in our election system at a moment when Americans deserve certainty, stability, and trust. At a time when election officials should be able to focus on helping voters participate, this executive order threaten to inject confusion and fear into the process in ways that could deter eligible voters from casting their ballots—it is intentional and undemocratic.
"The League of Women Voters remains deeply concerned about this executive order and its potential impact on voters and election administration. It is vital that Americans remember the power of their vote, and make sure unnecessary barriers do not silence their voice in the 2026 midterm elections. The League will continue to challenge policies that threaten free, fair, and accessible elections, and remains committed to ensuring every eligible voter has access to the ballot. No voter should have to wonder whether new restrictions, shifting rules, or political interference will stand between them and their constitutional right. Democracy is strongest when all voters can fully participate, and we deserve better."
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