Democratic officials in 19 states, including Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar and Attorney General Aaron Ford, have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s executive order attempting to overhaul elections in the U.S. The lawsuit aims to block requirements such as providing proof of citizenship when registering to vote and receiving mail ballots by Election Day as unconstitutional and an infringement on states’ rights. Ford called Trump’s order “blackmail” and condemned the threats to remove election security funding. Aguilar also criticized the order, stating it is an unlawful attempt to seize power from states and Congress. The White House dismissed the lawsuit as political, defending the executive order as essential for protecting the integrity of American elections.
Trump’s election order claims to address illegal voting by noncitizens despite recent elections being secure. The order also requires states to exclude late mail-in ballots and threatens federal funding for noncompliance. The lawsuit argues that forcing states to change election rules violates their constitutional authority. Other concerns raised by Democrats include the lack of access to necessary documents for citizenship proof, such as passports or REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses. The lawsuit challenges the practicality and accessibility of these requirements for voters.
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, marking the fourth legal challenge against Trump’s order. Democrats and election officials in various states argue that the executive action is unnecessary and undermines states’ ability to manage elections effectively. The controversy surrounding the executive order underscores the ongoing debate over election security, integrity, and voter accessibility in the U.S.
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