Oregon — U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas criticized a recent executive order issued by Donald Trump targeting federal election procedures, calling it an attack on mail-in voting and an attempt at voter suppression.
“Trump is once again trying to attack our elections, this time going after mail-in voting,” Salinas said in a statement, emphasizing Oregon’s decades-long use of vote-by-mail and arguing the order would not withstand legal scrutiny.
Salinas made the remarks alongside Joe Morelle, Tobias Read, and Marion County Clerk Bill Burgess during a public discussion focused on election security ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The executive order, titled “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections,” establishes new federal requirements related to voter eligibility verification and ballot handling. It directs federal agencies to compile citizenship data for states and requires the United States Postal Service to implement tracking standards and deliver ballots only to individuals on verified participation lists.
Supporters of the order describe it as a measure to strengthen election integrity by ensuring only eligible voters receive ballots and by creating a more traceable chain of custody for mail-in voting. The order also prioritizes federal enforcement actions against individuals or officials who issue ballots to ineligible voters.
Salinas’ statement characterizes the order more broadly as targeting mail-in voting itself. However, the text of the order does not eliminate or ban vote-by-mail systems. Instead, it imposes additional federal verification and security requirements on how ballots are distributed and tracked.
Her claim that the order represents “voter suppression” reflects concerns raised by several state officials who argue the new requirements could create administrative burdens, potentially complicating access for eligible voters. Critics, including Oregon leaders involved in an ongoing multistate lawsuit, contend that relying on federal databases and timelines could disrupt established state election systems.
At the same time, the order explicitly states that voter registration processes remain governed by state law and allows states to request modifications or corrections to federally compiled citizenship lists. It also includes provisions for individuals to access and correct their records.
Salinas also emphasized constitutional arguments, stating that states are responsible for administering elections. The lawsuit filed by Oregon and other states similarly argues that the executive order exceeds presidential authority. The order itself cites existing federal election laws and constitutional provisions as its basis, setting up a legal dispute over the scope of federal versus state control.
Oregon has conducted elections entirely by mail for more than two decades, a system often cited by state officials as secure and widely used. The outcome of the legal challenge is expected to determine whether the new federal requirements can be implemented ahead of future elections.
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