Case: League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump

1:26-cv-11549 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: April 2, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

Eight voting rights organizations filed suit against President Donald J. Trump and several federal agencies on April 2, 2026, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The plaintiffs challenged President Trump's Executive Order signed on March 31, 2026, titled "Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections." According to the complaint, this Order unlawfully directed the United States Postal Service (USPS) to create lists of approved mail voter…

Eight voting rights organizations filed suit against President Donald J. Trump and several federal agencies on April 2, 2026, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The plaintiffs challenged President Trump's Executive Order signed on March 31, 2026, titled "Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections." According to the complaint, this Order unlawfully directed the United States Postal Service (USPS) to create lists of approved mail voters and refuse to transmit certain ballots based on voter enrollment in federally-created lists. The plaintiffs alleged that the Order would burden voting rights and usurp state authority over elections by directing states to change their mail-in ballot procedures under threat of non-delivery by USPS. The lawsuit raised six claims including violations of separation of powers, federalism principles, constitutional voting rights, and federal statutes, seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent implementation of the Executive Order.

The case was assigned to Judge Indira Talwani. This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Ben Hefter (4/5/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73133197/parties/league-of-women-voters-of-massachusetts-v-trump/


Judge(s)

Talwani, Indira (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Rossman, Jessie J. (Massachusetts)

Schlossberg, Suzanne (Massachusetts)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:26-cv-11549

Complaint

April 2, 2026

April 2, 2026

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73133197/league-of-women-voters-of-massachusetts-v-trump/

Last updated April 20, 2026, 3:07 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants Filing fee: $ 405, receipt number AMADC-11651844 (Fee Status: Filing Fee paid), filed by Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., League of Women Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters of the United States, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, U.S. Vote Foundation. (Attachments: # 1 Category Form, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet)(Rossman, Jessie) (Entered: 04/02/2026)

1

View on RECAP

2

View on RECAP

April 2, 2026

April 2, 2026

Clearinghouse
2

NOTICE of Appearance by Suzanne Schlossberg on behalf of Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., League of Women Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters of the United States, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, U.S. Vote Foundation (Schlossberg, Suzanne) (Entered: 04/02/2026)

April 2, 2026

April 2, 2026

3

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Case Assignment. Judge Indira Talwani assigned to case. If the trial Judge issues an Order of Reference of any matter in this case to a Magistrate Judge, the matter will be transmitted to Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley. (SP) (Entered: 04/02/2026)

April 2, 2026

April 2, 2026

4

Summons Issued as to Frank J Bisignano, Department of Homeland Security, Joseph B. Edlow, Derek T Kan, Amber F McReynolds, Markwayne Mullin, Social Security Administration, David Steiner, Ronald A Stroman, Daniel M Tangherlini, Donald J Trump, Douglas A Tulino, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States Postal Service, United States Postal Service Board of Governors. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should download this summons, complete one for each defendant and serve it in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P. 4 and LR 4.1. Summons will be mailed to plaintiff(s) not receiving notice electronically for completion of service. (SEC) (Entered: 04/02/2026)

April 2, 2026

April 2, 2026

Notice of Case Assignment

April 2, 2026

April 2, 2026

5

NOTICE of Appearance by Rayford A. Farquhar on behalf of Frank J Bisignano, Department of Homeland Security, Joseph B. Edlow, Derek T Kan, Amber F McReynolds, Markwayne Mullin, Social Security Administration, David Steiner, Ronald A Stroman, Daniel M Tangherlini, Donald J Trump, Douglas A Tulino, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States Postal Service, United States Postal Service Board of Governors (Farquhar, Rayford) (Entered: 04/08/2026)

April 8, 2026

April 8, 2026

6

NOTICE of Appearance by Stephen Michael Pezzi on behalf of Frank J Bisignano, Department of Homeland Security, Joseph B. Edlow, Derek T Kan, Amber F McReynolds, Markwayne Mullin, Social Security Administration, David Steiner, Ronald A Stroman, Daniel M Tangherlini, Donald J Trump, Douglas A Tulino, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States Postal Service, United States Postal Service Board of Governors (Pezzi, Stephen) (Entered: 04/15/2026)

April 15, 2026

April 15, 2026

7

NOTICE of Appearance by Esam Al-Shareffi on behalf of Frank J Bisignano, Department of Homeland Security, Joseph B. Edlow, Derek T Kan, Amber F McReynolds, Markwayne Mullin, Social Security Administration, David Steiner, Ronald A Stroman, Daniel M Tangherlini, Donald J Trump, Douglas A Tulino, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States Postal Service, United States Postal Service Board of Governors (Al-Shareffi, Esam) (Entered: 04/15/2026)

April 15, 2026

April 15, 2026

8

MOTION for Writ of Habeas Corpus ad prosequendum, First MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Theresa J. Lee Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11680596 ( Responses due by 4/29/2026) by League of Women Voters of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Schlossberg, Suzanne) (Entered: 04/15/2026)

1 Exhibit A

View on PACER

April 15, 2026

April 15, 2026

RECAP
9

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Sophia Lin Lakin Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11681023 by Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., League of Women Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters of the United States, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, U.S. Vote Foundation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Schlossberg, Suzanne) (Entered: 04/15/2026)

April 15, 2026

April 15, 2026

10

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Davin Rosborough Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11681059 by Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., League of Women Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters of the United States, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, U.S. Vote Foundation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Schlossberg, Suzanne) (Entered: 04/15/2026)

April 15, 2026

April 15, 2026

11

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Ethan Herenstein Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11682622 by Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., League of Women Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters of the United States, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, U.S. Vote Foundation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Schlossberg, Suzanne) (Entered: 04/16/2026)

April 16, 2026

April 16, 2026

12

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Jonathan Topaz Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11682731 by Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., League of Women Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters of the United States, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, U.S. Vote Foundation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Schlossberg, Suzanne) (Entered: 04/16/2026)

April 16, 2026

April 16, 2026

13

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Ming Cheung Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11682836 by Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., League of Women Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters of the United States, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, U.S. Vote Foundation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Schlossberg, Suzanne) (Entered: 04/16/2026)

April 16, 2026

April 16, 2026

14

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of William Hughes Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11682902 by Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., League of Women Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters of the United States, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, U.S. Vote Foundation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Schlossberg, Suzanne) (Entered: 04/16/2026)

April 16, 2026

April 16, 2026

15

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Clayton Pierce Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11683290 by Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., League of Women Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters of the United States, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, U.S. Vote Foundation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Schlossberg, Suzanne) (Entered: 04/16/2026)

April 16, 2026

April 16, 2026

16

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Sarah Brannon Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11683296 by Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., League of Women Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters of the United States, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, U.S. Vote Foundation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Schlossberg, Suzanne) (Entered: 04/16/2026)

April 16, 2026

April 16, 2026

17

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Adriel I. Cepeda Derieux Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11683310 by Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., League of Women Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters of the United States, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, U.S. Vote Foundation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Schlossberg, Suzanne) (Entered: 04/16/2026)

April 16, 2026

April 16, 2026

18

Joint MOTION for a Briefing and Hearing Schedule and for Additional Pages by Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., League of Women Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters of the United States, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, U.S. Vote Foundation.(Schlossberg, Suzanne) (Entered: 04/16/2026)

April 16, 2026

April 16, 2026

RECAP
19

MOTION to Transfer Case to District of Columbia. by Frank J Bisignano, Department of Homeland Security, Joseph B. Edlow, Derek T Kan, Amber F McReynolds, Markwayne Mullin, Social Security Administration, David Steiner, Ronald A Stroman, Daniel M Tangherlini, Donald J Trump, Douglas A Tulino, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States Postal Service, United States Postal Service Board of Governors.(Al-Shareffi, Esam) (Entered: 04/16/2026)

April 16, 2026

April 16, 2026

RECAP
20

MEMORANDUM in Support re 19 MOTION to Transfer Case to District of Columbia. filed by Frank J Bisignano, Department of Homeland Security, Joseph B. Edlow, Derek T Kan, Amber F McReynolds, Markwayne Mullin, Social Security Administration, David Steiner, Ronald A Stroman, Daniel M Tangherlini, Donald J Trump, Douglas A Tulino, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States Postal Service, United States Postal Service Board of Governors. (Al-Shareffi, Esam) (Entered: 04/16/2026)

April 16, 2026

April 16, 2026

RECAP
21

Judge Indira Talwani: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 8 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice; granting 9 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice; granting 10 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice; granting 11 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice; granting 12 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added; granting 13 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice; granting 14 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice; granting 15 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice; granting 16 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice; granting 17 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Added Theresa J. Lee, Sophia Lin Lakin, Davin Rosborough, Ethan Herenstein, Jonathan Topaz, Ming Cheung, William Hughes, Clayton Pierce, Sarah Brannon, and Adriel I. Cepeda Derieux. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by each of the newly admitted attorneys. (SEC) (Entered: 04/17/2026)

April 17, 2026

April 17, 2026

22

NOTICE of Appearance by Sophia Lin Lakin on behalf of Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., League of Women Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters of the United States, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, U.S. Vote Foundation (Lakin, Sophia) (Entered: 04/17/2026)

April 17, 2026

April 17, 2026

23

NOTICE of Appearance by Theresa J. Lee on behalf of Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., League of Women Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters of the United States, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, U.S. Vote Foundation (Lee, Theresa) (Entered: 04/17/2026)

April 17, 2026

April 17, 2026

25

Judge Indira Talwani: ELECTRONIC ORDER: granting in part and reserving in part the parties' Joint Motion for a Briefing and Hearing Schedule and for Additional Pages [ 18 ]. Plaintiffs shall file their motion for preliminary injunction as to counts 1 and 2 no later than April 23, 2026, at 11:00 p.m. with a supporting memorandum of not more than 30 pages. (SEC) (Entered: 04/17/2026)

April 17, 2026

April 17, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear AND Order on Motion for Writ of Habeas Corpus ad prosequendum

April 17, 2026

April 17, 2026

Order

April 17, 2026

April 17, 2026

26

NOTICE of Appearance by Davin McKay Rosborough on behalf of Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., League of Women Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters of the United States, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, U.S. Vote Foundation (Rosborough, Davin) (Entered: 04/18/2026)

April 18, 2026

April 18, 2026

27

NOTICE of Appearance by Clayton Pierce on behalf of Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., League of Women Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters of the United States, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, U.S. Vote Foundation (Pierce, Clayton) (Entered: 04/18/2026)

April 18, 2026

April 18, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

Massachusetts

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 2, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Eight Massachusetts voting rights' organizations: League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Education Fund, League of Women Voters of the United States, League of Women Voters Education Fund, Association of Americans Resident Overseas, U.S. Vote Foundation, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

ACLU National (all projects)

Brennan Center for Justice

NAACP Legal Defense Fund

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552a

Voting Rights Act, unspecified, 52 U.S.C. § 10301 et seq (previously 42 U.S.C § 1973 et seq.)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Federalism (including 10th Amendment)

Separation of Powers

Other Dockets:

District of Massachusetts 1:26-cv-11549

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Commandeering

Voting:

Election administration

Voter ID

Voter registration rules

Access to Voter Rolls / Voter Information

Recommended Citation