Judge blocks presidential voting order, preserves mail-ballot rules

A federal judge in Washington issued a permanent injunction in early January 2026, blocking a presidential executive order that would have required proof of citizenship to register to vote and mandated that all ballots be received by Election Day. In a 75-page opinion, U.S. District Judge John H. Chun concluded the president lacked the legal authority to impose nationwide changes to state-run election procedures.

The suit was brought by Oregon and Washington, which argued the order singled out states that run mail ballots and would inflict special harm on their election systems. Judge Chun’s opinion emphasized long-standing state practices that allow ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted and noted constitutional limits on presidential power over federal election administration.

For Union County voters, the ruling matters in practical terms. Oregon’s mail-ballot system, relied upon by many communities in the county, will not be upended by a federal mandate forcing collection deadlines that conflict with state rules. Local election officials count ballots postmarked by Election Day under state law; the injunction preserves that process and avoids abrupt changes to signature verification, processing windows, and ballot acceptance standards that local offices would have had to implement.

The decision also has broader institutional implications. It affirms the principle that administration of federal elections is primarily the responsibility of the states, and that a president cannot unilaterally rewrite those rules nationwide. That legal boundary protects a patchwork of state election practices, including extended processing periods for mail ballots that have influenced turnout patterns in recent cycles. Secretaries of state in Oregon and Washington publicly welcomed the ruling, saying it defended state authority over ballot handling.

Policy consequences will extend beyond the immediate injunction. Election administrators and county officials may face renewed debates over verification standards for registrations and the deadlines that determine ballot acceptance. Lawmakers who support national uniformity on election procedures may pursue legislative avenues, but the ruling underscores the constitutional and practical obstacles to executive-branch mandates on state-run processes.

The takeaway? Union County voters should keep doing what works locally: verify your voter registration with the county elections office, mail ballots early when possible, and make sure ballots are postmarked by Election Day if you use the postal service. Our two cents? Treat the postmark as your friend and check your registration now so the mechanics of voting don't get in the way of your voice.