NAACP Condemns Supreme Court Interim Order on Mail-In Ballots, Continues Legal Battle Against Voter Suppression

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 25, 2026

Contact: communications@naacpnet.org

WASHINGTON – Today, the NAACP issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to protecting equal access to the ballot box following the Supreme Court's interim order, which temporarily denied relief to states challenging the Trump administration's mail-in ballot executive order. The Court's ruling only addresses the timing of the state's challenge. However, the Supreme Court did not rule on the merits of the order which remains the subject of ongoing litigation.  The executive order at issue  instructs federal agencies, including the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), to impose restrictive eligibility requirements and data-matching criteria on mail-in ballots.  A rule that lays out how USPS would comply with the executive order has been blocked by another court — a decision that still stands.

Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO, shared the following response:

"Let this interim ruling be a reminder that democracy is never, ever, guaranteed. We have to fight for it, we have to fight to keep it, and we have to protect the rights we do have within it. Those in power know full well that they are unpopular and will lose in a free and fair election, and so they are trying to do everything they possibly can to make it difficult for you to vote. 

"Trump's order has nothing to do with election integrity. It has everything to do with maintaining power at all costs. We will continue to fight vigorously to protect the right to vote, including by mail, this year and beyond."

The Trump administration is strategically flooding the zone with legal maneuvers, emergency appeals, and alarming headlines designed to confuse voters, leading to self-disenfranchisement. To be clear, the court's decision was procedural, not substantive, therefore it does not affect voters' ability to cast a mail-in ballot, nor does it restrict voting rights. Our fight is not over. The NAACP is actively engaged in two major federal lawsuits challenging attempts to limit access to mail ballots through restrictions on the U.S. Postal Service, in addition to over 20 voting rights cases across the nation. 

The NAACP will continue fighting this administration's attempts to restrict voting, both inside and outside the courtroom, in order to protect the fundamental right to vote. We will continue our fight to ensure every eligible voter has their voice heard and their ballot counted. For more information about our voting rights work, visit naacp.org. 

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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.