Golden State Today

California and Nevada Attorneys General Rob Bonta and Aaron Ford, joined by 17 other state attorneys general, have filed a lawsuit against President Donald J. Trump and several of his administration officials. The legal challenge is directed at Executive Order No. 14248, which aims to enforce new voting restrictions nationwide, including documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

According to the coalition, the executive order interferes with state election processes and exceeds presidential authority as outlined by the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit, submitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, argues that the power to regulate elections lies with the states and Congress, rendering the executive order's provisions unconstitutional.

"Day after day, we continue to witness President Trump’s utter disdain for the rule of law. Let me remind him: He is not a king," stated California Attorney General Rob Bonta. He further emphasized, "My fellow attorneys general and I are taking him to court because this Executive Order is nothing but a blatantly illegal power grab and an attempt to disenfranchise voters."

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber added to the criticism, stating that the executive order "will compromise critical state and local election processes and disenfranchise millions of American voters." She highlighted the historical attempts to restrict voting access and its contrast with the progress made since the Voting Rights Act.

The lawsuit identifies the executive order's mandates, including requiring the Election Assistance Commission to demand proof of citizenship on federal registration forms, altering state laws to disregard absentee ballots received post-Election Day, and demanding proof of citizenship from military and overseas voters. It also raises concerns over the order's threat to withhold federal funding as coercion for compliance.

Attorneys General Bonta and Ford filed this legal action with support from the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.