A CLOSER LOOK: voting rights in 2026
SPOTLIGHT: EXECUTIVE ORDER #14399, THE USPS, AND YOU
Earlier this year, the administration issued Executive Order #14399 — demanding that states turn over their detailed voter rolls to the federal government for "voter verification."
Because the U.S. Constitution assigns the planning and execution of elections to the states — and because this order allows the administration to federalize elections, build their own national voter database, and pick and choose their voters without restraint — 30 states, including New Jersey, and the District of Columbia have refused. The Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against these states, and so far has lost in court every time their complaints have reached a judge's chambers.
The administration, however, appears not to care about the constitutionality or legality of their actions. Their latest effort: enlisting the United States Postal Service in their voter suppression goals. This move would direct the USPS to throw away all mail-in ballots in states that have not complied with the federal government's demand for their voter rolls.
In short: if this succeeds, blue-state voters who use vote-by-mail will never receive their ballots to cast.
Right now, the USPS leadership appears to be on board — agreeing to target, with pinpoint-like precision, the very people that the administration wishes to exclude from the ballot box this November.
Democracy Docket's Marc Elias says that this latest salvo is wildly unconstitutional. As of mid-June 2026, 23 states plus the District of Columbia not only agree but have actively filed suit against the federal government to stop the directive.
For mail ballot voters, this might be quite alarming. Many legal experts, however, concur with Marc Elias — and are concluding that the USPS rule will ultimately be shot down as unconstitutional in court.
That said, Door-to-Door Democracy will be monitoring this issue very closely throughout the summer and into the fall. We are in unprecedented times, which call for heightened vigilance.
For now, if you vote by mail, make sure you use trusted outlets to follow the news, and check back here regularly. We will keep you posted on any new developments and let you know if you need to take further action.
For more information, take a look at Democracy Docket's most recent video covering this issue — placing it within the context of what Marc Elias calls a three-pronged effort to sabotage Democratic votes in the midterm elections.
protect your vote in 2026
Good news: The SAVE America Act has stalled in the U.S. Senate. But the current administration remains as committed as ever to placing burdensome proof-of-citizenship requirements on the very people they know will vote against the MAGA agenda.
Their current play: disrupt mail-in balloting for blue states, using and weaponizing the U.S. Postal Service to achieve these ends.
Most legal experts deem this move blatantly unconstitutional and believe it will be struck down in the courts. But you may still want to think about getting prepared for extra voting hurdles — and getting the information you'll need to secure your vote BELOW, just in case.
READ: Five Things To Know About the SAVE America Act
READ: Defending Democracy, the Marc Elias Way
WATCH: Marc Elias on Defending Voting Rights
GET: Passport application and renewal information
ORDER: Proof of citizenship documents
GET HELP: Contact a Community Action Partnership (CAP) program for financial assistance.