NAACP, Civil Rights Groups Secure Preliminary Injunction in USPS Case Against Donald Trump
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2026
Contact: NAACP | Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org
Lawyers' Committee | Lacy Crawford, lcrawford@lawyerscommittee.org
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted a Renewed Motion for Preliminary Injunction, halting a United States Postal Service (USPS) rule that threatened to block the delivery of valid mail-in ballots ahead of upcoming elections.
The injunction, filed by the NAACP, Lawyers' Committee, and Black Voters Matter, blocks a recently adopted USPS Final Rule that required all absentee and mail-in ballots for federal elections to be sent exclusively to voters verified through a newly created "Federal Ballot Mail Portal," which excludes millions of eligible voters nationwide.
Kristen Clarke, NAACP General Counsel, shared the following statement:
"Two district courts and a federal circuit court have now blocked this administration's unlawful attempt to weaponize the U.S. Postal Service to hijack our mail voting system in the middle of an ongoing midterm election.
"The election is just 49 days away. We urge the Supreme Court to reject this administration's request to green light this unlawful scheme and leave in place our mailing voting system which is safe, secure, and orderly.
"We will always stand up for voters and continue to fight this administration's voter suppression attempts."
In granting the preliminary injunction, the court found that the Postal Service acted beyond its authority, noting that no statute passed by Congress granted the agency the power to implement key parts of the rule. The decision prevents USPS from enforcing the restrictive envelope and portal verification requirements of the rule, ensuring that all eligible voters can continue to submit their mail-in ballots under established procedures.
"The court has made clear that the U.S. Postal Service exceeded its authority by adopting a rule to restrict mail-in voting. The rule would have disenfranchised huge numbers of voters and created chaos during the upcoming Midterm Elections," said Damon Hewitt, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers' Committee. "This rule had no valid rationale. There is no problem with voting by mail. The problem is the administration's efforts to obstruct millions of people from the polls and undermine confidence in our electoral system. The court's decision reaffirms that the president and Executive Branch have no authority to rewrite the rules of our elections and shut out millions of voters from the democratic process.
"We are proud to stand with our clients and co-counsel in securing this nationwide injunction, but we know this fight is not over. The battle to protect our democracy and the right to vote requires constant vigilance. We will continue to use every tool available to defend this sacred right and to ensure that every eligible American can participate in our elections."
The lawsuit, filed by civil rights partners, emphasizes the importance of safeguarding voter access and protecting election integrity. The groups will continue to advocate on behalf of marginalized communities to protect American democracy.
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About NAACP
The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.
About Lawyers' Committee
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to mobilize the nation's leading lawyers as agents for change in the Civil Rights Movement. Today, the Lawyers' Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.