The multistate coalition filed suit April 3 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts challenging Trump's March 31 executive order. The order attempts to establish a national list of eligible voters and directs the U.S. Postal Service to transmit mail ballots only to those on the federal list.
In the order, the President threatens states and election officials with criminal prosecution and the loss of federal funding if they do not comply with the new requirements. The attorneys general argue the executive order violates the Constitution by commandeering state election administration authority.
The coalition argues the order would force states to abandon their existing voter registration laws, voter roll procedures, and vote-by-mail systems. The lawsuit alleges the order violates separation of powers principles and unlawfully interferes with states' constitutionally protected authority to administer elections.
In a statement, Attorney General Tong said, "The Constitution plainly forbids the President from commandeering elections to manipulate and micromanage how we vote." Tong characterized the executive order as an illegal attempt to disenfranchise millions of voters.
The legal challenge comes as states prepare for the 2026 election cycle. The attorneys general warn that implementing the federal requirements would force states to "upend their existing election administration procedures" within weeks of primary elections and months before general election mail voting begins.
The coalition seeks a court order preventing the federal government from implementing or enforcing the executive order. They argue such rapid changes would create "confusion, chaos, and distrust in state election systems" while threatening to disenfranchise eligible voters.
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. Joining Connecticut in the lawsuit are attorneys general from California, Massachusetts, Nevada, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin, plus Pennsylvania's governor.