Statement from Candice Cho, Managing Director of Governors Safeguarding Democracy, on the Supreme Court’s Ruling on the USPS Mail-In Ballot Rule 

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Governors Safeguarding Democracy Managing Director Candice Cho released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to reject the Trump administration’s request to allow the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to impose a rule – two months before the midterm elections – requiring states to submit ballot envelope designs and mail-in and absentee-voter lists to USPS before ballots are delivered. 

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court reaffirms states’ constitutional authority to run elections and provides necessary clarity for state and local election officials ahead of the midterms. The USPS rule, however, is not the only example of attempted federal interference in elections, and GSD will continue to support Governors in fighting to ensure every eligible voter is able to cast a ballot in an election that is free, fair, and secure this November.”  

Since President Trump signed Executive Order 14,399 – which seeks to impose new federal requirements on state-run elections – Governors Safeguarding Democracy has supported current and former Governors in opposing unlawful federal interference in the democratic process.  

In September, GSD, along with Free + Fair Litigation Group, filed an amicus brief (26A305) with the U.S. Supreme Court opposing the USPS rule on behalf of a bipartisan group of 27 former Governors. In August, GSD and Free + Fair Litigation Group represented a bipartisan group of 26 former Governors in filing two additional amicus briefs (26A139 and 26A124), urging the Court to reject the Trump Administration’s emergency request to reinstate key provisions of the executive order after it was blocked by a federal judge.  

Earlier this summer, the groups also filed amicus briefs in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and the D.C. Circuit opposing the order, and submitted a comment to USPS urging the agency to withdraw the proposed rule before it was finalized.  

In July, GSD applauded action by a coalition of nine Governors, led by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, urging USPS to reject the Trump administration’s proposed rule on mail-in voting.  

About Governors Safeguarding Democracy
Governors Safeguarding Democracy (GSD), an initiative of GovAct, is a nonpartisan initiative of Governors working together to uphold and fortify American democracy.  Co-chaired by Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois and Governor Jared Polis of Colorado, GSD helps Governors collaborate to strengthen democracy by advancing policy that protects fundamental freedoms and improves people’s lives. Together, GSD aims to help push back against anti-democratic threats and protect the rule of law and systems of democracy our country and our states depend on. To learn more, go to www.GovsforDemocracy.org.
 

About GovAct

Governors Action Alliance (GovAct) is a nonprofit nonpartisan initiative that unites Governors in working across state lines to champion fundamental freedoms and improve people’s lives. GovAct serves as a central platform for collaboration across Governors’ offices—incubating, launching, and supporting alliances of Governors. These alliances share cutting-edge policy and legal approaches to some of the most challenging and critical issues we face.  To learn more, go to www.GovActAlliance.org. 

###