Gov. Kotek joins legal challenge to block President Trump executive order targeting vote-by-mail, says it is designed to silence voters and influence results

Oregon – Oregon has joined a legal challenge led by Attorney General Dan Rayfield and a coalition of states to block a recent executive order from President Donald Trump that targets vote-by-mail systems. The lawsuit contends the order is an unconstitutional effort to interfere with state-run elections and restrict access to voting.

Governor Tina Kotek expressed strong support for the lawsuit, calling the executive order a direct attack on the right to vote. “Today, Oregon is moving to block President Trump’s unconstitutional voter suppression effort,” Kotek said. “His attack on the fundamental right of every American to vote has nothing to do with election integrity and everything to do with silencing people so he can ultimately influence election results.”

The executive order, signed Tuesday, imposes new federal restrictions on mail-in voting and election administration, despite states’ longstanding authority to oversee elections under the U.S. Constitution.

Oregon has been a national leader in vote-by-mail for more than 25 years. After voters approved the system in the late 1990s, Oregon became the first state to conduct all elections entirely by mail in 2000. Since then, Oregonians have consistently voted safely and securely through a system often cited by election officials nationwide as a model for accessibility and participation.

The lawsuit argues the executive order exceeds presidential authority and attempts to override state election laws without Congressional approval. Oregon officials maintain that states hold primary authority over elections and that the federal government cannot impose new rules that restrict lawful voting methods.