LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A federal judge blocked key parts of President Trump’s executive order on mail voting on Wednesday, ruling the administration’s plans to intervene in state-run elections are unconstitutional.
The ruling came as the Justice Department continues pushing states to turn over voter registration data as part of its efforts to review voter rolls nationwide. Nevada is among the states challenging the Trump administration’s effort to obtain voter rolls.
MORE ON FOX5: DHS makes another attempt to gain access to Nevada voter rolls
Earlier this week, the Trump administration proposed having the U.S. Postal Service stop delivering mail-in ballots to states that refused to turn over voter registration data. Nevada is one of those states. The federal judge blocked that directive on Wednesday.
Nevada’s Secretary of State said the administration’s efforts to federalize elections violate state law and would have created chaos for voters.
“It’s a Nevada law that says the Secretary of State must protect the private information of all Nevada voters,” the secretary said. “Knowing that’s Nevada law, it’s my job as Nevada Secretary of State to follow the law.”
The secretary said the judge’s ruling prevents the federal government and the U.S. Postal Service from continuing those initiatives.
“I think it would have created chaos among Nevada voters,” the secretary said of what would have happened without the court’s intervention. “Some voters in Nevada would have been disenfranchised from the process.”
Election security in Nevada
Nevada’s Secretary of State said the state has made significant improvements to its election infrastructure and security. According to MIT rankings, Nevada ranked 13th nationally for election safety in 2022 and has since improved to second in the country.
“There is very little fraud in our elections,” the secretary said. “Nevada has some of the lowest fraud rates in the country.”
When asked why elections remain a prevalent conversation, the secretary said Nevada’s role in determining the next president makes it a target for those seeking to influence the system.
“What they’re trying to do is sow in chaos and create doubt in the process because they’re trying to take over control of the system,” the secretary said. “We have a certain individual in the White House who’s trying to pick his voters rather than letting voters determine who our leaders are.”
For now, Nevada’s current mail voting process remains unchanged. The legal battle over who controls elections is expected to continue in court.
Congressional response
Nevada’s congressional delegation strongly opposed the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict mail-in voting.
Congresswoman Susie Lee said the Postal Service lacks constitutional authority over elections. “This is yet another example of this Administration attempting to undermine Nevada’s safe and secure elections. Quite simply, the Postal Service doesn’t have the constitutional authority to administer elections. I’m glad a federal judge blocked the President’s order demanding it restrict mail-in voting. I will continue standing up to this Administration’s attacks on mail-in voting and working to protect Nevadans’ right to use the voting method that works best for them.”
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto said the blocked plan would have disenfranchised voters. “Voting by mail is a right that many Nevadans rely on to make their voices heard. If the Trump Administration goes through with this illegal plan to refuse to deliver mail ballots, it will disenfranchise millions of Americans. Yesterday, a federal judge blocked this plan from moving forward, and while I’m glad to see this successful challenge, I’m going to keep pushing back against this rule using every avenue I can.”
Senator Jacky Rosen said the proposal is unconstitutional and part of a broader effort to suppress voter participation. “Washington Republicans know their record of raising costs for families and cutting health care is highly unpopular, which is why Donald Trump is trying to nationalize elections and make it harder for eligible voters to vote. Any federal proposal that would limit Nevadans’ ability to vote by mail – a secure method of voting that has been used for decades – is unconstitutional and unacceptable. That’s why I’m adamantly opposed to the proposed rule that would allow the U.S. Postal Service to refuse to deliver mail-in ballots. My Senate Democratic colleagues and I are committed to protecting every American’s right to make their voice heard. We will continue to stand firm in our opposition to Trump’s attempts to take it away.”
Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.
