Bonta Sues to Block USPS Mail-Ballot Rule After Supreme Court Stay

California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Wednesday launched another lawsuit against the Trump administration, this time targeting a U.S. Postal Service final rule on mail ballots. and invited the public to watch him sell it as a defense of “election integrity.”

The post quoted his earlier announcement that California and allied states were “suing to block USPS’ rule restricting mail-in voting.”

Join me at 9:30 AM for an important update on California’s efforts to fight back against unlawful federal overreach and protect election integrity.

Tune in at: https://t.co/biszIi59EV https://t.co/vcKeUPXZWL

— Rob Bonta (@AGRobBonta) August 26, 2026

The official statement published by Bonta reveals that he is co-leading a coalition of 24 attorneys general with Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, Bonta filed in federal court in Massachusetts and sought a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is among the coalition members joining the action. 

The complaint argues the USPS rule, published in advance of the November midterms, is unconstitutional, contrary to statute, and without legal authority  because it lets the Postal Service reject ballot mail, compile “enrolled” mail-voter lists, and impose new envelope and barcode requirements.

“This mail-in voting rule is an unlawful overreach that shows just how far President Trump will go to control elections, but as I’ve said before, this fight is far from over and we are confident that the facts and the law are on our side,” Bonta said in the press release. 

“On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to fully close the door on the President’s attempt to interfere in our election administration. Today, we’re taking legal action to stop this unlawful rule in its tracks and ensure that voters can exercise their constitutional right to vote. Let’s be clear: the U.S. Constitution gives states the power to regulate elections — not the President and not USPS. Ballots are an extension of our voices and we’re asking the court to ensure that every person has the right to make theirs heard.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom piled on: “Donald Trump does not run elections. States do. And his latest attack on democracy is proof of how weak he has become.”

On Monday, the Supreme Court granted a stay that allowed implementation of key pieces of Trump’s March elections executive order after finding the states’ earlier challenge was premature because USPS had not yet issued a final rule. 

As the Globe reported Tuesday, that order was a procedural win for the White House and a warning shot to Sacramento. The rule, implementing Section 3 of Executive Order 14399, would require states to enroll mail voters with USPS, use redesigned ballot envelopes, and accept that ballots not matching USPS lists or specifications may not be delivered.

In a state that mails a ballot to every registered voter and relies on vote-by-mail for the vast majority of turnout, Bonta’s office calls that a “catastrophe for voting rights.” 

What election integrity? You’re fighting to preserve non-citizens’ access to mail ballots.

I’ve never seen a state AG fight this hard to shield fraudsters and illegals from accountability. Imagine if he used his efforts to protect citizens. https://t.co/SvgBfRcquU

— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) August 26, 2026

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli responded: “What election integrity? You’re fighting to preserve non-citizens’ access to mail ballots. I’ve never seen a state AG fight this hard to shield fraudsters and illegals from accountability. Imagine if he used his efforts to protect citizens.”

Bonta fired back: “Once again, the First Assistant U.S. Attorney conveniently omits a key fact: the Trump Administration’s USPS rule that would severely restrict mail-in voting remains blocked in California and 23 other states through the upcoming November 3, 2026 general election. My office is proudly co-leading that case.”