A coalition of 23 attorneys general and the Governor of Pennsylvania, co-led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, filed a motion for summary judgment yesterday in an effort to halt a recent executive order from President Trump.
The legal filing asks the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts to permanently block Executive Order No. 14399, titled “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections,” arguing that the directive exceeds the President’s constitutional authority.
The executive order seeks to restrict voter eligibility and mail-in voting by requiring voters to be on lists pre-authorized by the federal government. In their motion, the states argue that the U.S. Constitution grants the power to regulate and administer elections primarily to the states rather than the federal executive branch.
This latest action follows a lawsuit brought by the same coalition earlier this month, which claims the administration’s order is unconstitutional.
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“President Trump’s executive order not only represents a dangerous attempt to erode public trust in free and fair elections; it also reeks of desperation,” Attorney General Bonta said in a statement accompanying the filing. “We are seeking summary judgment because we firmly believe that the law is on our side and that the case can be decided expeditiously. President Trump has used mail voting himself. If it’s good enough for him, it should be accessible to other voters without unnecessary and unlawful obstacles.”
The coalition’s motion outlines several specific legal objections. It argues that the federal government cannot dictate voter eligibility lists for individual states or compel states to deny ballots based on those federal lists.
Additionally, the states contend the order illegally mandates that the U.S. Postal Service compile eligibility data and prohibits the delivery of ballots for those not on the lists, which the coalition claims interferes with Congress’s authority over the postal system.
The filing also highlights potential impacts on state operations, including the financial costs of implementing new federal procedures and the legal risks faced by election officials.
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The states argue that the order could lead to the prosecution of officials who issue ballots to individuals the federal government considers ineligible, potentially damaging public trust in the election system.
Attorney General Bonta is co-leading the coalition alongside the attorneys general of Massachusetts, Nevada, and Washington. The group is supported by officials from 20 additional jurisdictions, including Arizona, Michigan, New York, and Virginia.
The court has ordered the Trump Administration to file its response by Thursday, May 7, 2026. A hearing on the motions is set for Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET.
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