The coalition is challenging the "Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections" executive order, James's office said. The suit asks a federal court to declare the order unconstitutional and to bar federal agencies from enforcing its provisions.
According to the announcement, the order also threatens state election officials with prosecution for carrying out their duties and pressures states to comply through threats of withholding federal funds. The order would require states to preserve election records for longer periods than existing law requires, at their own expense, the announcement said.
"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," James said. "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 violates the Constitution by attempting to override states' authority to administer elections, according to the announcement. The attorneys general contend the demands would force last-minute changes to election systems ahead of upcoming federal elections, potentially disrupting primaries within weeks and the 2026 general election preparation, the announcement said.
The attorneys general further contend the order would create widespread confusion and chaos by imposing conflicting federal voter lists and restricting mail ballot delivery, risking disenfranchisement of eligible voters and disrupting elections already underway, according to the announcement.
James's office said she and 18 other attorneys general previously secured a court order blocking a prior executive order on elections last year. The coalition asserts that courts have repeatedly affirmed the president cannot bypass Congress or the Constitution to rewrite the rules governing federal elections.
Joining James are the attorneys general of 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, along with Pennsylvania's governor.