Oregon officials push back against ruling on mail voting executive order

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Secretary of State Tobias Read are challenging President Donald Trump’s March 31 executive order restricting mail-in voting, arguing it is unlawful and undermines state election authority. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols dismissed a preliminary injunction request, stating the order lacks implementation and potential harm to plaintiffs remains unproven." "article": "Oregon’s top legal officials are pushing back against a federal executive order issued by President Donald Trump on March 31 that seeks to limit mail-in voting. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Secretary of State Tobias Read argue the order violates states’ constitutional authority over elections and threatens Oregon’s all-mail voting system. Rayfield stated the order remains unlawful and that Oregon will continue litigating its case in federal court. A U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols ruled on May 28 that the lawsuit against the order lacks merit for a preliminary injunction, citing insufficient evidence of immediate harm. The judge noted the U.S. Postal Service has not yet issued proposed rulemaking or adopted final regulations under the order, leaving claims unripe for legal action. Nichols acknowledged future challenges may arise if the Postal Service implements the rule or creates state-specific voter lists. The lawsuit, filed in Boston on April 3, includes Oregon and 23 other states, along with Democratic leaders like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The plaintiffs argue Trump’s order oversteps presidential authority and interferes with state-run elections. Rayfield emphasized Oregon’s history of successfully defending its vote-by-mail system in court, referencing a prior ruling against a similar Trump executive order. The Justice Department defended the order, claiming the lawsuit was premature. Judge Nichols agreed, stating plaintiffs could renew their motion if the Postal Service later issues final rules or voter lists. Oregon remains committed to protecting its mail-in voting system, with Read calling the order illegal and vowing to defend voters’ rights through legal means.