Attorney General Charity Clark, along with 19 other attorneys general, has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent the Trump Administration from implementing Executive Order No. 14248. This executive order is described as unconstitutional and antidemocratic, aiming to enforce voting restrictions nationwide.
The executive order seeks to require state election officials to implement documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration. It also aims to disregard mail ballots received after Election Day and threatens to withhold federal funding from states that do not comply.
On April 3, the coalition of attorneys general initiated a lawsuit against the executive order, emphasizing that regulating elections is a power reserved for the States and Congress, not the President. The Trump Administration has begun steps toward enforcing this order, prompting the recent motion for an injunction.
The motion argues that the states are likely to succeed in their lawsuit and highlights potential irreparable harm if relief is not granted. The attorneys general assert that the executive order compromises their states' ability to maintain election integrity. For example, state election officials must address new citizenship documentation requirements or face losing federal funds.
Moreover, compliance with the new ballot receipt deadline demands significant resources for training and supporting local election officials and voters. The United States Attorney General's enforcement threats further complicate adherence to these new rules.
Joining Attorney General Clark in this legal action are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.
A copy of the motion is available online.