States Sue to Block Trump Executive Order They Say Would Strip State Control Over Voter Rolls and Mail Ballots

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, targets an executive order President Trump signed on March 31. The order attempts to establish a national list of eligible voters and directs the U.S. Postal Service — described in the complaint as an independent federal agency — to transmit mail ballots only to voters on that list. The order also threatens states and election officials with criminal prosecution and the loss of federal funding if they do not comply.

The coalition argues that the Constitution gives states primary authority to administer elections and does not permit the President to unilaterally impose changes to federal election procedures without an act of Congress. The attorneys general allege the order would force states to act contrary to their own voter roll procedures, vote-by-mail systems, and voter registration laws — and that it violates the separation of powers.

Beyond the constitutional objections, the coalition raises concerns about the practical consequences for election administration: the order would compel states to overhaul existing procedures and conduct statewide voter education potentially within weeks of primary elections and months before mail voting begins for the 2026 general election. The coalition argues that pace would generate confusion, chaos, and distrust in state election systems.

The lawsuit was led by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, who announced the filing, said the executive order is an illegal attempt to disenfranchise millions of voters and fundamentally alter how Americans vote, and that the coalition is suing to protect our democracy.

The full coalition includes the attorneys general of California, Massachusetts, Nevada, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Connecticut, along with the Governor of Pennsylvania. The coalition is asking the court to prevent the federal government from implementing or enforcing the order.