The multistate coalition, which also includes the governor of Pennsylvania, is seeking to block the executive order titled "Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections" that was signed earlier this week. The order directs federal agencies to create master federal voter rolls by state and threatens states with investigation, prosecution, or loss of federal funds if they don't comply with federal directives.
According to the coalition, the executive order unlawfully attempts to seize control of elections from states by requiring the U.S. Postal Service to refuse delivery of mail ballots from voters not included on federal voter rolls and forcing states to preserve election records for longer periods at their own expense. The attorneys general argue this violates the Constitution by overriding states' authority to administer elections and interferes with mail-in voting systems used securely across all states.
The coalition warns the order would create "widespread confusion and chaos" by forcing last-minute changes to election systems ahead of upcoming federal elections. States would be required to overhaul election operations on short notice and divert resources from existing responsibilities, potentially within weeks of primary elections and months before mail-in voting begins for the 2026 general election.
This marks the latest in a series of executive actions targeting election administration after the administration failed to secure similar changes through Congress. Attorney General James and 18 other attorneys general previously secured a court order blocking a prior executive order on elections last year, and courts have repeatedly ruled that the president cannot bypass Congress or the Constitution to rewrite federal election rules.
"Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, and no president has the power to rewrite the rules on his own," said Attorney General James. "This executive order is yet another attempt to disenfranchise voters and sow distrust in our electoral system as we head into the next election cycle. Our elections are and always have been free, fair, and secure, and we will not allow this administration to attack the very foundation of our nation."
The coalition argues the order risks disenfranchising eligible voters by imposing conflicting federal voter lists and restricting mail ballot delivery, while also threatening state and local election officials with investigation or prosecution for following state law. This creates a "chilling effect" that could undermine the administration of free and fair elections, according to the lawsuit.
The attorneys general are asking the federal court to declare the executive order unconstitutional and prohibit federal agencies from enforcing its provisions. The coalition includes attorneys general from California, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.