Toulouse Oliver says Trump election-order rulings affirm state authority
New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver said federal rulings blocking parts of Trump election executive orders affirm states’ authority over elections.
The New Mexico secretary of state said the federal court decisions reinforce states’ constitutional role in administering elections.
Organ Mountain News report
SANTA FE - New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver said two recent federal court decisions blocking parts of President Donald Trump’s election-related executive orders affirm states’ constitutional authority to administer elections.
The rulings came after New Mexico and more than 20 other states challenged the administration’s authority to use executive orders to make changes to election administration.
“These decisions affirm that states have the constitutional authority to administer elections in this country and that authority cannot be simply undone on a whim by any sitting president through an executive order,” Toulouse Oliver said in a news release Monday.
Toulouse Oliver said New Mexico’s elections continue to rank within the top 10 in the country based on work including regular voter roll maintenance and the state’s voting-by-mail process.
“The chaos around and doubt in our process that these orders have fomented is reckless and unacceptable,” she said. “As always, I am unwavering in my commitment to running a secure, safe and accessible election in November in which every eligible voter in this state has the information they need to securely participate.”
Organ Mountain News
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Denise Casper permanently blocked documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements outlined in a March 2025 executive order, ruling that they violated federal law and the separation of powers, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani found that the administration’s March 2026 executive order also violated the separation of powers. Talwani ruled that the administration cannot create a federal voter list and that the U.S. Postal Service cannot limit voters’ ability to vote by mail in the 2026 midterm elections, according to the office.
Organ Mountain News
The Secretary of State’s Office said it will continue monitoring federal actions that could affect election administration and will work with the New Mexico Department of Justice to respond as needed.
Voters can find election information at sos.nm.gov and NMVote.org.
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