FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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09/16/2026
Democrats Go on Offense After Supreme Court Rejects Trump’s Mail Voting Restrictions
WASHINGTON, DC — Following the Supreme Court’s decision to reject another attempt by the Trump Administration to disenfranchise voters late Monday, Democratic Secretary of State candidates around the country went on offense to make clear to the voters who was opposing the USPS Rule and who fought to allow states to continue sending out ballots by mail and also reassure voters that they may continue to vote by mail.
Cisco Aguilar, Chair of the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State and Nevada’s Secretary of State, released the following statement:
“Donald Trump lost another battle in his unconstitutional war to choose his own voters, and the American people are winners. This ruling affirms what our Constitution has always held: Elections belong to the American people, not a desperate man in Washington. Democratic Secretaries of State applaud the court on upholding this fundamental principle, and we stand ready to fight any attempt to cause chaos, fear, and intimidation in our elections.”
In addition to Secretary Aguilar’s statement, here’s what other Democratic Secretaries of State and nominees had to say:
Michigan Democratic Nominee — Garlin Gilchrist
“Michigan voters are fortunate that this terrible executive order was rejected by the Supreme Court, but we should all be clear about the stakes. This executive order would make it harder for millions of Michiganders to cast a ballot by mail and put the Trump Administration in charge of determining who gets a ballot and who does not. I’m proud to always put Michigan voters first, while Anthony Forlini can’t be bothered to say who won the 2020 election because he puts politics and Donald Trump ahead of what is best for Michigan.”
Iowa Democratic Nominee — Ryan Peterman
“…It is a win for voters–but not because of our Secretary of State. Secretary Pate had an opportunity to stand up for Iowa voters and join a bipartisan effort opposing this executive order. He did not. He did nothing while our rights were in jeopardy. Iowans deserve a Secretary of State who will fight to protect their right to vote and stand up to political interference, regardless of where it comes from. As a naval officer, I took an oath to defend the Constitution, and as Secretary of State, I will bring that same commitment to protecting Iowa voters and our elections.”
Georgia Democratic Nominee — Penny Brown Reynolds
“Thankfully, this executive order was rejected by the Supreme Court, but I want to be very clear: the White House rushed an executive order before November that would trample on the rights of state and local officials to administer their elections and make it harder for millions of Georgians to vote by mail. While some Republicans opposed this order, my opponent has remained silent, choosing once again to side with Donald Trump. As a judge and Georgia’s next Secretary of State, I’ll put politics aside and always put Georgia voters first.”
Ohio Democratic Nominee — Allison Russo
“Millions of Ohio voters rely on vote by mail, and thankfully, this Supreme Court ruling will ensure their access is not disrupted less than two months before the next election. However voters cast their ballot this year, they should not forget that my Republican opponent and the current Secretary of State chose to remain silent rather than speak up against this clearly unconstitutional executive order. As Ohio’s next Secretary of State, I will do what is best for Ohio, even if it means taking on the President or my own party. My opponent cannot say he will do the same.”
Kansas Democratic Nominee — Jennifer Day
“As an election worker, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution. Voters should not forget that Pat Proctor was silent on one of the most important voting rights cases in years. Kansans expect our next Secretary of State to defend our right to vote, whether it is politically easy or politically hard, and that is exactly what I will do. Our Secretary of State rightly joined the bipartisan amicus brief opposing the Administration’s anti-voter executive order on the postal service that would make it harder for countless Kansas voters to vote by mail. As an election worker, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution. Voters should not forget that Pat Proctor was silent on one of the most important voting rights cases in years. Kansans expect our next Secretary of State to defend our right to vote, whether it is politically easy or politically hard, and that is exactly what I will do.”
Arizona Secretary of State — Adrian Fontes
“I am thankful that SCOTUS saw Trump’s executive order for what it was: a disgusting overreach from the federal government. By ruling against it, SCOTUS has effectively ruled in favor of American democracy. Arizona knows best that mail in voting is not only secure, but one of the easiest ways to expand access to voting, increase participation in our elections, and ensure that every eligible voter in the state can vote…”
Oregon Secretary of State — Tobias Read
“[The] Supreme Court decision is an important victory for Oregon voters and the rule of law. Our secure, fair and accurate vote-by-mail system will go forward as it always does. Presidents don’t decide elections. The people do. We’ll keep standing up for Oregon’s freedom to vote.”
Vermont Secretary of State — Sarah Copeland Hanzas
“The courts have affirmed that the states essentially are in charge of their elections. I think that’s great. In a democracy you want to know what the majority of Vermonters think, but you need to have as many people as possible voting in order to know what Vermonters think is important.”
Colorado Secretary of State — Jena Griswold
“Trump’s attempt to sabotage the 2026 elections has failed. Courts have blocked Trump from using the Postal Service to choose which voters could receive a mail ballot. Trump will continue to fail in his efforts to take control of the 2026 midterms. We will fight every attempt to suppress the vote or unlawfully federalize elections.”
Washington Secretary of State — Steve Hobbs
“For Washington voters, the message is simple: Nothing is changing about Washington elections right now. Voters will continue to receive their ballots by mail, and I encourage every eligible Washingtonian to make a plan to vote: go to VoteWA.gov to check your voter registration and find official ballot drop boxes near you. This is a victory for this year’s election, but I know the broader fight is not over.”
Connecticut Secretary of the State — Stephanie Thomas
“The fight over mail-in voting isn’t over, but Monday’s news is good. The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to change how mail ballots are sent, and to do it before the midterms. If anyone needed a reminder that elections have consequences, this is it…This administration is determined to overreach. That’s exactly why I’m running for reelection: to keep defending Connecticut’s enshrined role in running our own elections, and every voter’s right to cast a ballot securely, safely, and confidentially.”
Minnesota Secretary of State — Steve Simon
“Minnesota and dozens of other states have stood up to protect the rights of voters across the country. Tonight’s ruling restores full confidence that voters will continue to have access to vote by mail. Election officials across the state will be able to breathe easier knowing their work will not be upended by a last-minute unconstitutional power grab by the federal government.”
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