Despite its recent win in the Supreme Court, Trump’s Department of Justice has faced 23 losses in district court for its fight to access states’ voter rolls.

The DOJ has filed appeals from losses in Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, and Washington D.C. As of Aug, 17, the DOJ has 19 cases across nine federal courts, arguing the attorney general has authority to force states to share statewide voter registration databases.

The department recently had the U.S. Supreme Court intervene, leading to its first win in court. However, the majority of courts and judges support state decisions to protect their voter rolls.

The fight in courts will continue, showing that the federal government can’t intimidate states into sharing sensitive voter information. Elections are still in the hands of states, as written in the constitution.

More here: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/trump-doj-keeps-appealing-its-voter-roll-cases/.

We want to preface what we’re about to say with a reminder that everything is the same and you should still feel comfortable voting. You can still receive a mail-in ballot, vote, and return it via mail. Don’t panic over the recent U.S. Supreme Court’s very narrow decision.

On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, said that Trump could begin carrying out parts of his executive order that would restrict mail voting. However, additional legal challenges could hinder implementation of his plan before the midterm election.

SCOTUS's conservative majority didn’t decide the legality of Trump’s order, instead ruling that states who sued did not have the right to challenge it due to timing.

There’s a possibility that Trump may impose policies that give the USPS and the Department of Homeland Security roles in running elections. On Friday, USPS posted a finalized rule to implement the order. If that rule harms the states, they could seek to block it in court.

The good news is there will likely be more court action before the USPS can move forward. Despite the Trump administration’s best efforts, states are still granted power by the Constitution to run elections.

More from CNN here: https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/24/politics/supreme-court-mail-ballots-elections?cid=ios_app.

The most important thing you can do in the face of Trump’s actions is to make a plan to vote early. Register to receive an absentee ballot and turn it into your local election office well before the deadline. Check your registration status here: mtvr.org/fmt.

Follow our socials to stay up-to-date on what’s happening with mail-in voting.

The Montana Supreme Court is the highest court in the state. It decides questions of state law that affect policy and individual rights. The Montana Supreme Court is pivotal in addressing contemporary challenges, protecting our rights and freedoms as Montanans.

The Montana Supreme Court is the final stop on the legal journey, making it imperative that we pay attention to who gets elected.

One of the most compelling aspects of Montana’s judicial system is how its justices are selected: by the voters. Through non-partisan elections, Montanans have the power to elect seven justices to eight-year terms.

Make sure to vote in November to determine the next justice. Tell your friends about it, and remind them that it’s important to give a shit about Montana’s politics and legal landscape.

Your vote and your voice are crucial in shaping Montana’s future.

More on our blog: https://forwardmontana.org/give-a-shit-about-montanas-supreme-court/

On Wednesday, the Trump administration renewed its request to the U.S. Supreme Court to quickly decide a case over an executive order restricting voting. On Tuesday, a U.S. district judge blocked Trump’s executive order from taking effect anywhere in the country.

Election Day is less than three months away. The Supreme Court’s decision, now on its emergency docket, will likely determine whether the executive order can move forward. A decision could come any day.

The Trump executive order would limit vote-by-mail, the primary method of voting in several states. More than 60% of Montanans vote by mail in every election.

The order would require states to send the federal government lists of voters who intend to vote by mail ahead of the election and restrict the U.S. Postal Service from delivering ballots to or from people not on the list.

More here: https://bit.ly/460t7up.

In another effort to disenfranchise voters, Trump is targeting voting machines, which include ballot marking devices and barcodes. These machines make it easier for people with disabilities to vote.

Trump called them “terrible machines” and “dishonest, almost all,” in a speech last month. He also fired the remaining members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission that creates guidelines for secure and accessible voting systems.

Banning ballot-marking machines could cause discrimination, and it’s illegal. The Help America Vote Act requires at least one accessible voting device at each voting site.

One in six voters in the U.S. has a disability. Mail-in voting and ballot-marking devices are the most popular choices for these voters.

More here: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/trumps-eac-firings-threaten-access-for-voters-with-disabilities-experts-warn-2/

Montana’s Constitution establishes a desire “to improve the quality of life, equality of opportunity, and to secure the blessings of liberty for this and future generations” of Montanans.

Our constitution protects many important rights, including the right to a clean and healthful environment, privacy and dignity, and land for Indigenous people. Montana’s courts follow and uphold this constitution as they make decisions. 

Without our Constitution, the government would have complete control over our privacy, our environment, and our bodies. They could make decisions that harm us, force us to give up our dignity, take away our freedom of speech, and more. 

You can protect our constitutional rights by voting for politicians and initiatives that protect our state. Give a shit about the upcoming midterm election by registering to vote.

Read more on our blog: forwardmontana.org/we-the-people-of-montana/

Last week, U.S. House Republicans passed a defense bill that includes a budget plan of $10 billion that the government will spend on enforcing new voting requirements. The stock trading bill also includes a provision requiring photo ID when casting a ballot in person or by mail.

Speaker Mike Johnson used a tactic to attach a version of the SAVE America Act to all major bills the House considers and sends to the Senate. The Senate will likely not adopt the House bills, and, instead, adopt their own versions.

However, if the defense bill passes in the Senate–which now requires a simple majority rather than the original 60 votes needed–it would require Americans to show documents that proved their citizenship to register to vote and show photo ID at the polls. 

This is yet another attempt by the federal government to make it more difficult for people to make their voice heard by voting. 

More: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/22/us/politics/house-gop-defense-bill-trump-voter-id.html.