California Attorney General Rob Bonta co-led a lawsuit to stop a new U.S. Postal Service rule tied to President Donald Trump’s Executive Order No. 14399, The Center Square reported. A former U.S. Department of Justice lawyer, Hans von Spakovsky of Advancing American Freedom, called the suit “unnecessary.”
What the USPS rule would do
Prompted by Trump’s order, the USPS rule requires states to enroll eligible mail-in voters on USPS-managed lists and to adopt new postal envelope design standards, according to The Center Square. The outlet reported the USPS stated it would refuse to deliver ballots for voters not on those lists or those sent in non‑compliant envelopes.
The lawsuit—and the Supreme Court backdrop
The Center Square reported Democratic attorneys general filed the case Wednesday morning in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts. The filing followed a Monday U.S. Supreme Court decision granting an emergency stay requested by the Trump administration. According to the outlet’s account, the Court found an earlier challenge was filed too early but noted attorneys general could challenge the USPS rule implementing Trump’s order.
Von Spakovsky: ‘In no way’ blocks eligible voters
Calling the new case “unnecessary,” von Spakovsky told The Center Square, “All the state has to do is provide a list to the Postal Service of all of the registered voters that are qualified and approved by the state to receive a mail-in ballot.” He added, “The procedure set up in the rule will in no way prevent any eligible, registered voter from being able to cast a ballot.”
He argued the USPS tracking system gives states a new ability to track mail-in ballots to prevent misdelivery or delays, and said the rule applies to federal agencies and does not “unconstitutionally infringe on the states’ administration of election,” according to the outlet.
Bonta: USPS can’t regulate elections
Speaking in a virtual press conference, Bonta said Trump “does not have the authority” here. “Neither Congress nor the Constitution give the Postal Service the power to regulate elections or refuse to deliver lawful mail-in ballots,” The Center Square quoted him as saying. Bonta also told the outlet the president and USPS are “violating the Constitution,” “interfering with our elections,” and “blatantly, brazenly breaking the law.” He added, “Today, we are suing, and we feel very confident in our case.”
The Center Square reported this is California’s 86th lawsuit against Trump in 83 weeks. The outlet also noted Bonta, a Democrat, is running for reelection on Nov. 3 against Republican attorney Michael Gates.
White House and state-level responses
After the Supreme Court decision, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state would file a new lawsuit and pushed for state legislation creating new penalties for seizing election materials or interfering with mail-in ballot delivery, The Center Square reported.
White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis called the Court’s move “a major win for the security of American elections.” In an email to The Center Square, Bis said, “Radical Democrats continue to oppose commonsense measures that protect the security of mail-in ballots and ensure only Americans are electing American leaders,” adding the administration will “continue to lawfully enact” its agenda on election safety and security.
Who’s suing
Besides California, The Center Square listed Democratic attorneys general from Nevada, Washington state, Massachusetts, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin as plaintiffs. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, is also among the plaintiffs, according to the outlet.
