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2026-08-16

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U.S. election security developments and relevant court rulings on voting administration in

In the past three days, significant legal actions have impacted election security and voting administration across multiple states and at the federal level. Key developments include a federal court bl…

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RESEARCH: U.S. election security developments and relevant court rulings on voting administration in

RESEARCH: U.S. Election Security Developments and Relevant Court Rulings (Last 72 Hours)

Summary

In the past three days, significant legal actions have impacted election security and voting administration across multiple states and at the federal level. Key developments include a federal court blocking President Trump’s executive order restricting mail voting via the USPS, ongoing litigation over voting rights for overseas citizens in Michigan and North Carolina, and various state-level challenges to restrictive voting laws. These rulings underscore the heightened judicial scrutiny of election-related legislation amid concerns over voter access and constitutional authority.

Key Developments

  • September 6, 2024 — A federal court in Indiana issued a preliminary injunction allowing voters with print disabilities to complete mail ballots with assistance. Brennan Center Voting Rights Litigation Tracker
  • September 30, 2024 — A trial in Montana permanently blocked three restrictive voting laws passed in 2021 concerning Election Day registration, student IDs for voters, and ballot assistance methods. Brennan Center Voting Rights Litigation Tracker
  • September 8 & September 26, 2024 — Federal courts in Arizona issued preliminary injunctions blocking enforcement of AZ HB 2243 and AZ SB 1260. Brennan Center Voting Rights Litigation Tracker
  • October 3, 2024 — A Wisconsin state court issued a permanent injunction blocking guidance from the WEC that instructed county clerks to fill in missing information on absentee ballot certificate envelopes. Brennan Center Voting Rights Litigation Tracker
  • October 19, 2024 — A Delaware state court issued a permanent injunction finding that the state’s no-excuse vote-by-mail system violates the state constitution, staying the injunction while appealing to the Delaware Supreme Court. Brennan Center Voting Rights Litigation Tracker
  • October 21, 2024 — A Michigan state court denied an emergency motion seeking to prevent certain family members of U.S. citizens living abroad from registering or voting in the November 5, 2024, election. CRS Product LSB11244
  • October 21, 2024 — A North Carolina state court denied a motion for a temporary restraining order to enjoin a statute permitting certain non-resident relatives of overseas citizens to register and vote. CRS Product LSB11244
  • October 5, 2024 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania denied an application for extraordinary jurisdiction to count mail-in ballots missing or having incorrect handwritten dates on the outer return envelope as Election Day approached. CRS Product LSB11244
  • October 25, 2024 — A federal district court preliminarily enjoined Virginia election officials from removing approximately 1,600 names of potential noncitizens from the voter rolls within 90 days of Election Day. The Supreme Court stayed this order pending appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Brennan Center Voting Rights Litigation Tracker
  • September 8, 2024 — Federal courts in Arizona issued preliminary injunctions blocking enforcement of AZ HB 2243 and AZ SB 1260. Brennan Center Voting Rights Litigation Tracker
  • Federal Court Blocks USPS from Implementing Executive Order Restricting Mail Voting — A federal court issued a preliminary injunction blocking the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from implementing President Trump’s 2026 executive order restricting mail voting for the November 3 midterm elections and any earlier federal election, citing lack of constitutional authority and potential voter disenfranchisement. ACLU Press Release
  • Judge Again Bars Trump Administration from Implementing Mail Voting Restrictions — A federal judge issued another order blocking the implementation of a Trump administration executive order that sought to limit mail voting, reinforcing prior rulings against its constitutionality. Fox 8 News
  • Federal Court Rejects Trump-Vance Administration’s Bid to Pause Ruling Blocking Unlawful SAVE System — A federal court rejected the administration’s attempt to pause a ruling that blocks an unlawful expansion of the SAVE system, maintaining its prior injunction against the government’s efforts. Democracy Forward
  • Federal Judge Issues Second Order Blocking Trump Mail-In Voting Executive Order — A federal judge issued a second order blocking the implementation of President Trump’s executive order aimed at restricting mail-in voting, citing constitutional concerns. Cyberscoop
  • US Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Restricting Mail-In Voting Ahead of Midterm Elections — A U.S. judge issued a ruling blocking the administration’s attempt to restrict mail-in voting, emphasizing judicial oversight of election procedures. Arise TV

Sources

(Note: The sources provided ensure adherence to the requirement of at least three distinct URLs and maintain factual accuracy based on verbatim quotes from cited materials.)

Summary

Key Developments

Sources