Reposted by Amy b Robinson
Republicans have reacted with anger to state court rulings that shielded popular initiatives and stalled GOP gerrymanders. In Utah, the GOP expanded the state supreme court; in Missouri, conservatives threatened to impeach justices this month.
boltsmag.org
To Protect Direct Democracy, Two States Mull a New Approach: Name It As a Right - Bolts
Ballot measures in Missouri and Montana would strengthen citizen-led initiatives. Democracy advocates in each state are going on the offense after facing years of attack.
![On March 31, 2026, President Trump issued Executive Order 14399: “Ensuring
Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections” (the “EO”), ordering, inter alia, the
United States Postal Service (“USPS”) to refuse to transmit mail-ballots either not compliant
with new design and technology requirements and/or to individuals whose names do not appear
on lists provided to the USPS. 91 Fed. Reg. 17125 (Mar. 31, 2026). Much litigation has ensued
in response to this unprecedented directive. Throughout the multiple actions before district
courts, courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court of the United States, the federal government has
declined to defend the constitutionality of the EO’s directives. Instead, the federal government
has asked this court and others to postpone judicial review on standing and ripeness grounds,
Case 1:26-cv-11549-IT Document 183 Filed 08/11/26 Page 1 of 27
2
arguing that no party may challenge the EO’s constitutionality until the USPS promulgates a
Final Rule.
As discussed in its prior decisions and expanded upon below, the court finds it prudent to
review the EO now, where less than 90 days pend before the midterms and the millions of
citizens who rely on mail voting require clarity as to how or whether they will vote in November.
As to those elections occurring before or on November 3, 2026, the court preserves the current
electoral status quo, GRANTS the Plaintiffs’ Renewed Motion for a Preliminary Injunction
[Doc. No. 170], and ENJOINS the USPS’s implementation of Section 3 of the EO.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreia67it3flfpoeaessoi5ht5wiw4geoyx25mox7rwgsp5qmm5emwbe)
