Democrats Sue Trump Over Executive Order on Voter Citizenship Requirements

In a coordinated legal move, Democratic leaders and major campaign committees filed a federal lawsuit Monday evening in Washington, D.C., challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order that requires proof of citizenship to vote and permits federal access to state voter rolls.

The 70-page complaint argues the order violates the US Constitution’s Elections Clause, which grants election authority to states and Congress—not the president. Democrats assert that the directive is a politically motivated overreach, designed to limit voter access and influence upcoming elections.

Details of the Controversial Executive Order

Signed last week, the executive order includes several contentious provisions:

Requires documentary proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections

Revokes funding for states that count mail-in ballots received after Election Day, even if postmarked in time

Grants the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, access to state voter registration data for verification purposes

Critics argue that these policies could disenfranchise up to 21 million eligible voters, according to a 2023 study by the University of Maryland and the Brennan Center for Justice.

Democrats: Order Undermines Democracy and State Authority

The Democratic National Committee, along with campaign arms and leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, condemned the executive order as an "unconstitutional power grab." They claim it threatens vote-by-mail systems, invades voter privacy, and usurps state control of election processes.

The lawsuit also criticizes the Trump administration for assigning the Election Assistance Commission new enforcement responsibilities outside its original mandate under the Help America Vote Act of 2002.

White House Defends Order as Election Integrity Measure

White House spokesperson Harrison Fields defended the executive order, stating it aims to ensure “free, fair, and honest elections.” He dismissed the lawsuit as a sign of Democratic resistance to electoral transparency.

“The Trump administration is upholding the Constitution and protecting voter integrity,” Fields said.

Impact on Voters and Legal Implications

The Democratic lawsuit warns that the new rules could disenfranchise mail-in voters, especially in states like Washington, where over 250,000 ballots postmarked on time arrived after Election Day in 2024.

It also challenges the federal government's interference in state-set deadlines, citing Supreme Court precedent, including rulings by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, affirming state control over election timing.

With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, this lawsuit is poised to test the limits of presidential authority in regulating US elections—and could reshape how votes are cast and counted nationwide.

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