New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced a lawsuit challenging President Trump's Executive Order issued on March 25, which aims to increase control over election processes. James has teamed up with attorneys general from 18 other states to block what they see as an unconstitutional effort by the President to infringe upon state sovereignty and congressional authority.
Attorney General James stated, "Donald Trump’s attempt to control our elections, intimidate voters, and limit Americans’ right to vote is unconstitutional, undemocratic, and frankly, un-American.” She emphasized that the country is a democracy and warned that the Executive Order represents "an authoritarian power grab."
The lawsuit claims that the Executive Order could disenfranchise many voters by imposing unnecessary restrictions. For example, the Order seeks to bar states from counting mail-in ballots received after Election Day. This, James and her colleagues argue, misinterprets election laws and could disrupt established vote-by-mail procedures.
Furthermore, the attorneys general expressed concern over the President's directive for the Election Assistance Commission to implement a proof of citizenship requirement for the federal voter registration form, which they claim is outside both presidential and congressional authority.
The coalition of attorneys general contends that the order unlawfully pressures states by threatening penalties, including withholding federal election and counterterrorism funds, and subjects noncompliant states to potential federal investigations.
Attorney General James and her coalition are urging a court intervention to block these contested elements of the Executive Order, arguing that the actions undermine democratic institutions and exceed presidential powers.
States joining New York in the lawsuit include Arizona, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.