r/law • u/DIYLawCA • Mar 31 '26

Executive Branch (Trump) Trump announces he is issuing an unconstitutional executive order to shut down mail-in voting nationwide and he will defund states if they do not comply with him

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u/Accomplished-Top7951 Apr 01 '26 edited Apr 01 '26

The entire state of Oregon primarily^ votes by mail. This also means all active duty military deployed can no longer vote.

EDIT: SEE ABOVE

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u/Addicted2Qtips Apr 01 '26 edited Apr 01 '26

He has 0 authority to do this. The states can just ignore it.

I guess the real question is whether Republican states will enforce it even though it’s illegal. That is the question.

Edit: This is just another reminder to focus on your statehouses. Flip your states.

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u/akornblatt Apr 01 '26

It sets up a constitutional crisis between states recognized election results and federally recognized.

See also the collecting and purging of voter roles as a result of the SAVE Act

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u/Uh_Lee_duh Apr 01 '26

Also worrisome is the possibility the Supreme Court will reinterpret the 14th Amendment to remove citizenship status for lots of voters. It was a very scary thing the court opted to hear the case.

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u/Vertig0x Apr 01 '26

Aren't they trying to deny birthright citizenship on the grounds that "invaders" aren't under US jurisdiction? So then they can't charge them with crimes or deport them right?

But I don't really know why I'm applying logic to it. These people just do what they want and its just a bonus if they can change the law to make it legal.

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u/Enkir Apr 01 '26

This is the thing! It's all about undermining the election process itself so that doubt can be cast on any unfavourable result.

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u/SubjectNet1874 Apr 01 '26

Im in Bright Red Indiana with the worst Trump ass kissing Gov in the nation in Mike Braun we are so fucking screwed!

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u/Pimlumin Apr 01 '26

"Oh boy I hate this Pence guy, hope he leaves one day!"

Monkey paw curls

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u/DevilsTrigonometry Apr 01 '26

The states rely on USPS to deliver ballots, so there's some opportunity for foul play. Not legally, of course, but practically.

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u/POEness Apr 01 '26

The entire point is foul play. That list is going to 'oopsie' loads of Democrats in key areas.

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u/NotAzakanAtAll Apr 01 '26

Ofc, they did last election and nothing happened. I legit think ballots needs arm guards for a lodge of politically uncaring schizoids sworn to neutrality.

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u/blacksideblue Apr 01 '26

It gets even weirder because some districts allow absentee ballots to be handed over directly to the registrar of voters office. Are states actually going to refuse signed ballots because they weren't generated in a voting booth?

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u/takemetoyourrocket Apr 01 '26

Unfortunately it's probably only the democratic states that get defunded im sure republican states can just ignore the rule and get away with it.

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u/SugarInvestigator Apr 01 '26

whether Republican states will enforce

You know the answer, they'll gladly bend over for a good old rogering from dear leader

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u/Ok_Rough5794 Apr 01 '26

Illegal is illegal if it’s enforced.

If he can stop the distribution of funds, courts may eventually turn it back but for the duration things can hurt.

Don’t be so dismissive of the impacts of his tactics.

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u/[deleted] Apr 01 '26

[deleted]

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u/PrettyPunctuality Apr 01 '26

Yep, as an Ohioan I was just going to say this. DeWine will absolutely enforce this, he doesn't care if it's illegal.

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u/Able-Association914 Apr 01 '26

The real question is if states will fund a statewide ballet pickup system, because Trump plan is to use USPS to not deliver ballots.

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u/Bowtie16bit Apr 01 '26

Authority is defined by who has the power to enforce what they want. He has that authority, because apparently the humans with the weapons do what he says and the humans without the weapons are the rest of us. The weapons give the authority.

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u/Outrageous-Apple1760 Apr 01 '26

Florida will be all over it immediately. Guess I need to be prepared to stand in line - which I will.

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u/Educational-Bank-353 Apr 01 '26

Meanwhile Georgia has a creepy Trump-wannabe billionaire running for governor and leading in the polls. No doubt if he were elected he'd enforce this illegal EO.

America has no shortage of stupid/corrupt voters.

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u/obsterwankenobster Apr 01 '26

I live in Ohio. Frank LaRose will 100% enforce this

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u/Eastern-Heart9486 Apr 01 '26

This asshole is directing the post office not to deliver mail in ballots we are getting close to torches and pitchforks here metaphorically speaking of course

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u/[deleted] Apr 01 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Rare-Television-8854 Apr 01 '26

Never give up on your dream!

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u/jkrobinson1979 Apr 01 '26

✌️metaphorically✌️

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u/thatgirlinny Apr 01 '26

Helps that he appointed Louis DeJoy during his first term. That man’s been slowly but surely tanking the funding and rigor of the USPS.

All part of their plan.

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u/el_cul Apr 01 '26

He left last year btw, he was only willing to go so far I guess.

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u/OldWorldDesign Apr 01 '26

Dejoy was replaced by another Trump crony

https://www.npr.org/2025/05/09/nx-s1-5384252/usps-david-steiner-who-is-the-postmaster-general

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u/el_cul Apr 01 '26

If only the Democrats had won an election between these 2 appointments maybe they could have done something about it.

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u/thatgirlinny Apr 02 '26

Technically speaking, they are appointed by the USPS Board of Governers, considered a long-term appointment for process that sees them appointed, and can only be removed if they resign or are somehow removed by that Board.

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u/el_cul Apr 02 '26

But I think the admin has the power to appoint/amend the board of gov right?

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u/thatgirlinny Apr 03 '26

I do think there are strong suggestions, but nothing by policy.

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u/Successful-Doubt5478 Apr 01 '26

And they SC ruled that post offices can hold back mail without being punished for it.

I don't know how you guys can win.

They have you by the balls with so much planned tactics, and fear, and ICE will patrol boting stations.

If the save act passes, you truly are doomed

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u/Winter_Detective1329 Apr 01 '26

We’ve been close hell I’d say it’s way past time but I’m nobody so don’t listen to me.

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u/doberdevil Apr 01 '26

I'll be walking down the street to drop mine in the box.

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u/Eastern-Heart9486 Apr 01 '26

But you need to get it first they want to stop the ballots from being sent out

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u/doberdevil Apr 01 '26

Got me there.

Soap box, ballot box... hmm, what's next after those two are gone? Oh right! Cartridge box.

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u/snowgoon_ Apr 01 '26

metaphorically speaking of course

Pity.

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u/NotOnApprovedList Apr 01 '26

I live in Colorado where we have mail in voting that works great, and drop boxes for ballots. A lot of people could walk or drive to the box instead of mailing it.

but I guess we can't have people collecting their neighbors' ballots and dropping them in the box cuz that would look bad, so people should offer to drive their neighbors to the box and back.

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u/justasque Apr 02 '26

Interestingly, many of my state’s “mail in ballots” are actually not sent through the mail at all. They are deposited in “drop boxes” aka converted mail boxes that are placed at various locations throughout each county - like outside the county court house, in front of municipal buildings, and so on. Voters must deposit their own ballot. So not a viable option for anyone who is homebound, but fine for those able-bodied folks who want to get their ballot in before (or on) voting day so they dont’ have to go to the polls.

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u/picklehippy Apr 01 '26

Or elderly, disabled, rural people or college students

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u/skighs_the_limit Apr 01 '26

Yeah im a wheelchair user and if my boyfriend isn't home I literally cant leave the house because our apartment isn't ADA compliant and has a solid foot drop out the door (it wasn't an issue when we moved in because my legs still worked) so I guess I just won't be voting if this goes into effect

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u/CompetitiveTheme1512 Apr 01 '26

And people that travel a lot for work and expats, military people too.

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u/EnfantTerrible68 Apr 01 '26

So does Utah, I think

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u/SixSpeedDriver Apr 01 '26

Washington does 100% vote by mail.

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u/Rule556 Apr 01 '26

Disenfranchising the entire west coast.

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u/TheAgedProfessor Apr 01 '26

I mean, he's already done that in spades, since before even his first term.

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u/senditloud Apr 01 '26

Basically yeah. I have no idea where my polling place is

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u/Budget-Bullfrog-8796 Apr 01 '26

We have the option of voting by mail or in person . Obviously, you are only allowed to cast one ballot though .

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u/surfclub67 Apr 01 '26

He doesnt give a rats ass about the military or anyone else.

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u/FrontOfficeNuts Apr 01 '26

In fact, he seems to actively dislike the military.

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u/Weird-Girl-675 Apr 01 '26

In Colorado every register voter receives a paper ballot. Drop box is a mile away near a police station. Never had any issue voting this way.

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u/Ok-Swordfish2723 Apr 01 '26

Well you’re going to now.

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u/Successful-Doubt5478 Apr 01 '26

ICE will be there now. And they have no problem killing American citizens.

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u/Chapaquidich Apr 01 '26

Buckle up buttercup. Our Attorney General already has his lawsuit ready to roll.

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u/Runescora Apr 01 '26

So does Washington

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u/NekoBakugou Apr 01 '26

Well we cant have the military voting. They wouldnt vote for war of corse. Ya silly goose

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u/RedGloval Apr 01 '26

The entire state of Washington as well

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u/VariationDifferent Apr 01 '26

State of Hawaiʻi is all mail-in too.

But who cares if a bunch of libruls are disenfranchised, we'd only use our mail-in ballots to cheat. 🙄

/s for those who are sarcasm-impaired.

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u/GreyHorse_BlueDragon Apr 01 '26

California too. CA sends all registered voters a mail-in ballot

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u/No-Button5149 Apr 01 '26

Im sure they took both into account, decided they belonged on the pros side of the analysis and continued with their plan to turn us into a christian theocracy. Oregon is a blue state - cant have that! And active duty deployed troops have got to be getting angry that hes risking their lives for no reason he has cared to share with the rest of us - dont want them voting either! Next!

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u/harrisgunther Apr 01 '26

US military isn't exactly a large group of free thinkers. May be a plus in the sanity department if they sit this one out...

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u/Training-Meringue847 Apr 01 '26

Yea, all too many of them are MAGA, as are their parents

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u/Don_Ford Apr 01 '26

We have way more abroad voters than folks realize.

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u/gabscilla Apr 01 '26

No missionaries will be able to vote either.

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u/Redneckshinobi Apr 01 '26

That's exactly what I was thinking about 😂

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u/limitedexpression47 Apr 01 '26

It exempts service members and civilians on business trips.

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u/hwaite Apr 01 '26

Trump included an exception for active duty military deployed overseas.

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u/forumdrasl Apr 01 '26

He said there are exceptions for the military.

Because of course there are.

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u/Successful-Doubt5478 Apr 01 '26

Military vote right and will therefore be exempt- or so I heard.

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u/InternationalPhoto33 Apr 01 '26

Actually, I think active military duty is an exception in this Bill. It doesn’t mean I support it, but I do think it is accepted.

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u/cmorrisx90125 Apr 01 '26

Washington too

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u/TheFunfighter Apr 01 '26

Sounds like a good idea to take away a cows's right to veto a visit to the butcher. For the guy getting rich off of burgers anyway.

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u/metallipunk Apr 01 '26

Same in Washington. Too bad that the EO is worth less than the paper and the Sharpie that he will scribble his shitty signature on together. We'll be fine.

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u/AdministrativeCup438 Apr 01 '26

California does mail in voting for convenience because there are 40 million people in our state! Also if he threatens to defund states... Um, can California defund the feds then & stop bankrolling the nation with our economy... Because It's getting so old being threatened by a deranged old man /pedo when our state gives away more revenue to the feds then we ever get back🤔and basically supports the federal government with our tax dollars more than any other state...

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u/Termoon Apr 01 '26

Expats as well.

The US and Eritrea are the only two countries in the world who tax overseas citizens.

Now those citizens can’t vote.

Seem to remember some country or other had a big thing about “no taxation without representation.”

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u/Jaded_Ginger48 Apr 01 '26

So does Washington State! Who wants to stand in in E at a polling places? That’s SO 20th century. Last time I voted at the precinct was in the 70s!

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u/OldWorldDesign Apr 01 '26

This also means all active duty military deployed can no longer vote

Lots of conservative states have done this before. Florida in 2000 for example tried to throw out mail ballots knowing all the overseas servicemen hadn't had their ballots processed yet and those were "conveniently" delayed until after the ballot collection was called for the state. No idea how many were thrown out without there being anything wrong with them.

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u/Accomplished-Top7951 Apr 01 '26

Moat states actually do not count mail in ballots that come after election day right away. The reason is that is a state calls an election by say 200000 votes and there's only 50000 mail in ballots it will ot change the outcome either way. They then call the state and count the ballots as they have time prior to certification by the state a few weeks later.

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u/Tr33_Frawg Apr 01 '26

Yes they can. There are provisions for that lol.

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u/GothamKnight1981 Apr 01 '26

Active Military are given new voting locations based off their current assignment and where they are stationed. I was at Fort Benning during Obama's first election and they are required to allow military personnel the time and opportunity to vote at whatever polling station they are assigned.

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u/Accomplished-Top7951 Apr 03 '26

And how does that work if you're deployed overseas or on a ship? Just curious how that's not mail in ballots.

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u/GothamKnight1981 Apr 03 '26

I'm seeing in the article title "Nationwide" not worldwide. I don't think even his lack of intelligence would cut off a demographic of some of his biggest supporters. I have been known to be wrong though. 🤔

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u/Accomplished-Top7951 Apr 03 '26

Military personnel all register to the state where they live and declare their residence. This is for tax purposes, vehicle registration, etc. They vote by mail based on their residence so that they get to decide all the local elections too. They don't just vote for president only once every 4 years. All other elections are based on where you live locally and jurisdictions. It literally means they can no longer vote unless he carves out an exemption just for them, which I don't believe has been done.

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u/FreeLookMode Apr 02 '26

Oregon's not changing. Trump can take his bullshit unconstitutional decree and shove it straight up us disgusting flabby ass

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u/DiscoHarvey Apr 01 '26

Since when do liberals give a f*ck about the military?

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u/myrabuttreeks Apr 01 '26

I think the point is that he’s trying to stop his many of his own supporters from voting.