Trump Says States Could Lose Mail-In Ballot Delivery If They Refuse To Share Voter Rolls

Former President Donald Trump is pressing state election officials to turn over voter registration lists, warning that refusal could jeopardize U.S. Postal Service delivery of absentee and mail-in ballots, according to CNN.

At least 23 states, the District of Columbia, Democratic Party leaders and several voting-rights organizations have filed lawsuits challenging the administration's effort to impose new voting directives and to obtain state voter rolls.

Last month a federal judge in Washington, D.C., declined to block the executive order tied to the initiative, leaving the Postal Service able to cooperate with the administration while litigation continues.

Democratic groups have asked an appeals court to expedite review of their challenge, saying quick judicial action is needed to prevent potential voter disenfranchisement ahead of the November midterm elections.

Maine Secretary Of State Shenna Bellows warned of serious consequences if courts do not intervene. Bellows told CNN:

"You will see a virtual elimination of mail-in voting, unless the states supply voter lists to the federal government."

Trump has proposed multiple measures intended to tighten voting eligibility and ballot access, including the SAVE Act, which would add citizenship-verification requirements for voter registration. That bill has faced resistance and procedural hurdles in the U.S. Senate.

The administration says it "will continue lawfully enacting the agenda President Trump was elected to enact — which includes the safety and security of American elections." Legal challenges are likely to continue, and courts will play a central role in deciding whether states can preserve current mail-in voting programs or must change practices to comply with federal demands.

This account draws on reporting from CNN; the original item also appeared on Blavity.