President Donald Trump has been temporarily blocked from enforcing major parts of his election reform executive order—an outcome that complicates a central priority for his administration.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge John H. Chun in Washington state ruled that the White House cannot require states to treat Election Day as the national deadline for receiving mail-in ballots, as directed in Trump’s March order. Many states currently count absentee or mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day as long as they are postmarked by Election Day, and the decision preserves that practice.
The White House told other outlets it plans to challenge the ruling.
Why it matters
Election rules and “election integrity” have been a defining theme in national politics since 2020, when Trump claimed—without proof—that the election was stolen. While voter fraud is generally rare, Trump has repeatedly argued that mail-in voting is more susceptible to abuse and has pushed for tighter limits on its use.
The ruling matters because it limits the administration’s attempt to reshape how elections are run, particularly at the state level. It also underscores how courts can curb executive action when judges conclude it conflicts with constitutional boundaries.
What to know
Washington and Oregon filed suit in April, arguing that Trump’s order violated the U.S. Constitution.
In a 75-page decision, Chun—a Seattle-based judge appointed by former President Joe Biden—said the executive order went too far and collided with the separation of powers. He concluded the president does not have the authority to impose the changes on states covered by the order.
Chun also blocked another provision that would have restricted funding to states that refuse to use federal voter-registration forms requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.
Mark Shanahan, a University of Surrey professor who studies American politics, said the decision is a reminder that presidential authority has limits.
“The Trump presidency largely aims to get things done through executive orders, having sidelined Congress and often being at odds with the states,” Shanahan said. “However, this effort to bend state voting processes to his will foundered from the off and this latest ruling of presidential overreach confirms the president is not all-powerful and cannot simply impose his demands on states, especially around electoral practices.”
Trump has repeatedly signaled he wants sweeping changes ahead of the 2026 midterm cycle. In August, he wrote on Truth Social that he would issue an executive order aimed at eliminating mail-in ballots and voting machines.
“I am going to lead a movement to get rid of MAIL-IN BALLOTS, and also, while we’re at it, Highly ‘Inaccurate,’ Very Expensive, and Seriously Controversial VOTING MACHINES, which cost Ten Times more than accurate and sophisticated Watermark Paper, which is faster, and leaves NO DOUBT, at the end of the evening, as to who WON, and who LOST, the Election,” Trump wrote.
Any such effort would likely face new legal challenges.
What officials are saying
Chun wrote that federal election administration is not a presidential power under the Constitution:
“The Constitution assigns the states all authority to regulate the time, place, and manner of elections, subject only to the limitations by Congress. As the Constitution assigns no authority to the president over federal election administration, the president’s authority to promulgate a national ballot-receipt deadline cannot stem from the Constitution.”
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital: “President Trump cares deeply about the integrity of our elections and his executive order takes lawful actions to ensure election security. This is not the final say on the matter and the administration expects ultimate victory on the issue.”
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said the decision protects voters and constitutional norms: “Today’s ruling is a huge victory for voters in Washington and Oregon, and for the rule of law. The court enforced the long-standing constitutional rule that only States and Congress can regulate elections, not the election denier-in-chief.”
Trump’s executive order framed the changes as a safeguard against wrongdoing:
“Free, fair, and honest elections unmarred by fraud, errors, or suspicion are fundamental to maintaining our constitutional republic. The right of American citizens to have their votes properly counted and tabulated, without illegal dilution, is vital to determining the rightful winner of an election.”
What happens next
It is not yet clear how the administration will proceed, but an appeal appears likely. Shanahan suggested the White House may also argue that the decision reflects politics, pointing to the judge’s appointment by Biden.
