Democratic leaders sue to stop Trump administration from interfering in state elections
In short
Democratic Party leaders filed a federal lawsuit in Washington two weeks before the midterm elections. They want to bar the Trump administration from purging registered voters or intimidating state and local election officials. The Justice Department said its election actions are grounded in law.
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Democratic Party leaders are suing in federal court to block President Donald Trump's administration from usurping states' authority to administer elections or trying to intimidate state and local election officials into complying with illegal demands, AP reported. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Washington, two weeks from the midterm elections. [ 2 , 3 ]
It seeks a court order barring the administration from purging legally registered voters from statewide voter registration lists or denying ballots to legally registered voters. The plaintiffs also ask for a ruling that the administration has illegally threatened state election officials with prosecution before the Nov. 3 election. [ 2 , 3 ]
The plaintiffs include Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic Governors Association. The case was assigned to Chief Judge James Boasberg, whom AP described as vilified by the White House for rulings against the Trump administration since the start of the president's second term. [ 2 , 3 ]
The suit cites the Justice Department's recent actions in California, where it sued to block state election officials from counting mail-in ballots cast by people whom the federal government has identified as 'likely' noncitizens until their immigration status can be confirmed. The suit says Trump has for over a decade spread lies and misinformation about elections and voter fraud and has used them as a pretext to seize control over elections. [ 2 , 3 ]
The Justice Department said in a statement that election integrity is a top priority for the administration and that its actions on that front are grounded in law and under court litigation. The New York Times described the suit as sweeping, saying it asks a judge to prevent the federal government from ordering voters disqualified, among other moves the plaintiffs said were engineered for voter suppression. It added that Democrats have challenged Trump's efforts in various states, but the new suit appears to be an effort to secure a court order blocking federal intervention nationally. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The suit comes two weeks before the Nov. 3 election and, according to The New York Times, appears to seek a court order blocking federal intervention nationally. The outcome could affect how states run the vote, but the documents do not say how the judge will rule.
Key facts
- Democratic Party leaders filed a lawsuit in federal court in Washington on Tuesday, two weeks before the midterm elections. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The suit asks for a court order barring the administration from purging legally registered voters from statewide registration lists or denying them ballots. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The plaintiffs also ask for a ruling that the administration has illegally threatened state election officials with prosecution before the Nov. 3 election. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Plaintiffs include Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic Governors Association. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The case was assigned to Chief Judge James Boasberg. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The Justice Department said election integrity is a top priority and its actions are grounded in law and under court litigation. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the court will grant the order the plaintiffs seek. The documents report only the filing and the case assignment, not any ruling.
- Whether the suit seeks a nationwide block on federal intervention. The New York Times said the suit 'appears to be' an effort to secure such an order nationally; the AP text does not describe it that way.
- The suit's claims that the administration has made illegal demands and threats of prosecution. These are the plaintiffs' allegations; the Justice Department said its actions are grounded in law.
- The Justice Department said in a statement that election integrity is a top priority and its actions are grounded in law and under court litigation. Reported by a single source so far
- The suit cites the Justice Department's action in California, where it sued to block officials from counting mail-in ballots cast by people the federal government has identified as 'likely' noncitizens until their status can be confirmed. Reported by a single source so far