Elections
The federal government has acted on how states run elections, from suing states for full voter lists to new rules on mailing ballots. Courts are asked to decide these actions, in suits the government filed and suits filed against it. This page follows each case through the steps of court relief.
- 15
- cases followed
- 23
- rulings
- 13
- awaiting a ruling
Cases and rulings, September 2025 to now
15 cases filed. 23 court rulings.
The government sued · 13 cases
The Justice Department sues states for their voter rolls
The Justice Department asks courts to order states to hand over full voter registration lists under a 1960 civil rights records law. The states say privacy laws protect voters' personal details.
- Dismissal upheld
U.S. request for Michigan's full voter list
Dismissal upheld- Filed Sep 25, 2025
- Decision Dismissed · Feb 10
- Appeal Government appeals · Feb 25
- Appeals ruling Rehearing denied · Aug 14
- Held; on appeal
Demand for Oregon's full, unredacted voter list
Held; on appeal- Filed Sep 16, 2025
- Decision Dismissed · Feb 5
- Appeal Government appeals · Feb 25
- Appeals ruling Awaiting ruling · Appeal of the dismissal
- Held; on appeal
Demand for Maryland's full voter list
Held; on appeal- Filed Dec 1, 2025
- Decision Dismissed · Jun 18
- Appeal Government appeals · Jul 6
- Appeals ruling Awaiting ruling · Appeal of the dismissal
- Paused
Demand for Hawaii's full voter registration list
Paused- Filed Dec 11, 2025
- Decision Case paused · Apr 6 · Awaiting ruling
- Dropped by DOJ
DOJ demand for Oklahoma's full voter list
Dropped by DOJ- Filed Feb 26, 2026
- Decision Dropped by government · Mar 24
- Dismissed; on appeal
U.S. request for New York's full voter list
Dismissed; on appeal- Filed Sep 25, 2025
- Decision Dismissed · Jul 10
- Appeal Government appeals · Jul 23
- Appeals ruling Awaiting ruling · U.S. appeal of the dismissal
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- Held; on appeal
Demand for New Hampshire's full voter list
Held; on appeal- Filed Sep 25, 2025
- Decision Dismissed · Jun 29
- Appeal Government appeals · Jul 6
- Appeals ruling Quick ruling refused · Sep 16 · Awaiting ruling
- Held; on appeal
Demand for Vermont's full voter list
Held; on appeal- Filed Dec 1, 2025
- Decision Dismissed · Sep 17
- Appeal Government appeals · Oct 30
- Appeals ruling Awaiting ruling · Appeal of the dismissal
- Dismissed; on appeal
Demand for Washington's full voter list
Dismissed; on appeal- Filed Dec 2, 2025
- Decision Dismissed · Sep 22
- Appeal Government appeals · Oct 30
- Appeals ruling Awaiting ruling · Appeal of the dismissal
- Dismissed; on appeal
U.S. request for Virginia's full voter list
Dismissed; on appeal- Filed Jan 16, 2026
- Decision Dismissed · Jul 14
- Appeal Government appeals · Jul 24
- Appeals ruling Awaiting ruling · Appeal of the dismissal
- Held; on appeal
Demand for Georgia's full unredacted voter list
Held; on appeal- Filed Jan 23, 2026
- Decision Dismissed · Sep 30
- Appeal Government appeals · Oct 30
- Appeals ruling Awaiting ruling · Appeal of the dismissal
Emergency suits over ballots and results near Election Day
These suits were filed in the final weeks before the November 3, 2026 election. Each asks a court to act on ballots or results before the count is final.
- Denied; on appeal
U.S. request to set aside 20,000+ listed voters' ballots
Denied; on appeal- Filed Oct 15, 2026
- Restraining order Denied · Oct 28
- Preliminary injunction Awaiting ruling · Preliminary injunction
- Appeal Government appeals · Oct 28
- Appeals ruling Injunction denied · Oct 30
- Supreme Court Injunction denied · Nov 2
- Dismissed; on appeal
U.S. request to hold Alaska's Senate certification
Dismissed; on appeal- Filed Oct 22, 2026
- Decision Dismissed · Nov 1
- Appeal Government appeals · Nov 1
- Appeals ruling Awaiting ruling · Appeal of the dismissal
The government was sued · 2 cases
States and others challenge federal rules on how elections run
These suits challenge federal rules that set new conditions on voting, such as steps officials must take before mail ballots are delivered. The government defends the rules, and the challengers ask courts to block them.
- Blocked; on appeal
Postal Service rule on mailing election ballots
Blocked; on appeal- Filed Aug 26, 2026
- Restraining order Granted in part · Aug 27
- Preliminary injunction Granted · Sep 4
- Appeal Government appeals · Sep 4
- Appeals ruling Stay denied · Sep 10 · Awaiting ruling
- Supreme Court Stay denied · Sep 14
- Blocked in part
Mail-ballot executive order and Postal Service rule
Blocked in part- Filed Apr 1, 2026
- Preliminary injunction Granted in part · Sep 13
- Decision Awaiting ruling · Motions to dismiss
- Appeal Plaintiffs appeal · Jun 1
- Appeals ruling Denial affirmed · Jul 28