News Room

SAINT PAUL – This week, three U.S. District Courts issued new rulings upholding current election laws across the country. 

• On June 22, 2026, the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia ruled that the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system violates federal law. In her ruling, Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan stated, “all in all, the federal government has knowingly trampled on the privacy rights of American citizens in a manner that threatens the sacred right to vote.” Minnesota did not use the SAVE system for voter verification.
  
  
• On June 24, 2026, the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts permanently barred implementation of various sections of President Donald Trump’s 2025 Executive Order on Elections which sought to require voter ID. Judge Denise Casper’s ruling upheld that the Constitution gives states and Congress the authority to regulate elections.
  
  
• On June 25, 2026, the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts blocked President Donald Trump’s 2026 Executive Order on Elections which directed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to create citizenship lists and USPS to change rules around delivering mail ballots. Judge Indira Talwani’s ruling upheld that the President does not have authority to make such orders as the U.S. Constitution gives states and Congress the authority to regulate elections. 

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon issued the following statement:  

“Courts across the country continue to uphold the U.S. Constitution – which clearly gives states and Congress the authority to set the time, place, and manner of elections. 

As Minnesotans make their plans to vote in the August 11 Primary and the November 3 General Election – they should know the fundamentals of our elections have remained unchanged. Minnesotans can still vote by mail or early in-person starting 46 days before an election. Minnesotans can still register to vote online or in-person on Election Day, if necessary. 

Minnesota law recognizes that Minnesotans balance many different priorities. These polices help people vote if they are disabled, new to voting, have recently moved, or have responsibilities as caregivers.  

To complement these policies that support accessibility, we also have extensive laws and procedures in place to ensure that these voter-friendly options are highly secure including measures to ensure only eligible voters receive ballots, that each voter can only cast one ballot, and that all ballots are protected before, during, and after election day.  

Our office is committed to defending and upholding our laws that ensure every eligible Minnesotan has the opportunity to make their voice heard, no matter their life situation.  

We are grateful that the courts continue to uphold Minnesota’s Constitutional Right to establish these laws.  

As always, I encourage Minnesotans to visit MNVOTES.GOV to get the most accurate, up-to-date information on elections.”