04
Apr
Apr
DEMOCRATIC OFFICIALS SUE TRUMP OVER EXECUTIVE ORDER ON ELECTIONS
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CapitalTimesNews / 2 months
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- 2 min read
Democratic officials from 19 states have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s executive order on elections, calling it an unconstitutional invasion of states’ authority to run their own elections. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, seeks to block key aspects of the order, including requirements for documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote and a demand that all mail ballots be received by Election Day. “The President has no power to do any of this,” the state attorneys general wrote in court documents. “The Elections EO is unconstitutional, antidemocratic, and un-American.” Trump’s order claims the U.S. has failed “to enforce basic and necessary election protection.” However, election officials have stated that recent elections have been among the most secure in U.S. history, with no indication of widespread fraud. The order has received praise from top election officials in some Republican states, who argue it could inhibit voter fraud and provide access to federal data to maintain voter rolls. However, Democrats argue it could disenfranchise voters, particularly those without easy access to proof of citizenship documents. “We are a democracy – not a monarchy – and this executive order is an authoritarian power grab,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha added, “In one fell swoop, this president is attempting to undermine elections and sidestep the Congress, and we’re not going to stand for it.” California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated, “Trump’s executive order was an attempt to impose sweeping voting restrictions across the country and disenfranchise voters.” Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford praised his state’s automatic voter registration systems and mail ballot distribution, saying, “While this order is on its face unconstitutional and illegal, it is also unnecessary.”
