Senate Democrats Unite to Block Trump’s Illegal Executive Order Targeting Mail-In Voting

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined forces with a large group of Senate Democrats today to introduce the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act (Absentee MVP Act), a direct response to President Trump’s March 31 executive order that seeks to rewrite federal election rules through unconstitutional means.

Trump’s order demands the Department of Homeland Security compile state-by-state rosters of voting-age citizens and grants sweeping new authority to the U.S. Postal Service to decide which mail ballots can be delivered. Under this scheme, USPS can reject lawful ballots unless states comply with these federally mandated eligibility lists. The consequences for noncompliance are severe: election officials, mail carriers, and others could face criminal charges, while states risk losing federal funding.

This executive order is a blatant power grab designed to interfere with free and fair elections by restricting access to mail-in voting, a method relied upon by millions, including military service members. The Absentee MVP Act would prohibit USPS, DHS, and other agencies from spending any funds to implement these directives, effectively blocking the administration’s attempt to undermine the democratic process.

“President Trump’s Executive Order is yet another power grab to take control of our elections illegally,” Blumenthal said. “By manipulating the U.S. Postal Service to restrict mail-in ballots, this administration is undermining the Constitutional framework that protects free and fair elections.”

Civil rights groups, veterans, and voting rights advocates have also condemned the order. Roman Palomares, LULAC National President, called the order an unlawful attempt to disenfranchise voters. Lisa Gilbert of Public Citizen described the move as “anti-voting” and designed to tilt elections in favor of Republicans. Veterans’ groups emphasized the importance of mail-in ballots for service members stationed abroad.

Common Cause’s President Virginia Kase Solomón highlighted the hypocrisy of Trump’s order, noting that the president himself voted by mail this year. “This order is really designed to give him the power to handpick voters,” she said.

The bill is co-sponsored by Senate leaders including Chuck Schumer, Chris Murphy, Alex Padilla, Dick Durbin, and many others, representing a unified front against Trump’s authoritarian overreach. The Absentee MVP Act stands as a critical legislative effort to protect voting rights and ensure that elections are decided by voters, not by politicians wielding executive power to suppress the vote.

Full text of the Absentee MVP Act is available through Senator Blumenthal’s office.

This fight is far from over, but today’s introduction of the Absentee MVP Act is a clear message: we will not stand by as the Trump administration weaponizes federal agencies to undermine democracy. Every eligible voter must be able to cast a ballot without fear of interference or intimidation.